FCC Chair Slams 'Hoax' Surrounding Colbert's Talarico Interview

CBS denies blocking the interview, says show chose to share it on YouTube instead.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr criticized the media for promoting a 'hoax' surrounding Stephen Colbert's interview with Texas Democrat James Talarico. Carr said Talarico 'understood the way that the news media works, and he took advantage of all of your sort of prior conceptions to run the hoax, apparently for the purpose of raising money and getting clicks.' CBS denied blocking the interview, stating the show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC's equal-time rule and chose to present the interview on YouTube instead.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between media, politics, and government regulations. The FCC's enforcement of the equal-time rule has led to accusations of censorship, while the Talarico interview controversy raises questions about how politicians and media outlets navigate these rules for political gain.

The details

Colbert claimed on his show that CBS lawyers blocked him from airing an interview with Talarico, a Texas Democrat running for Senate. However, CBS denied this, stating the show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC's equal-time rule for Talarico's primary rivals, and the show chose to present the interview on YouTube instead. FCC Chair Brendan Carr accused Talarico of running a 'hoax' to raise money and get media attention, and criticized the media for 'playing right into it'.

  • On Monday, February 17, 2026, Colbert claimed on his show that CBS lawyers blocked him from airing an interview with Talarico.
  • On Tuesday, February 18, 2026, a CBS spokesperson denied the network prohibited the Talarico interview from airing.

The players

Brendan Carr

The Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Stephen Colbert

The host of 'The Late Show' on CBS.

James Talarico

A Texas Democrat running for the U.S. Senate.

Jasmine Crockett

A Texas Democratic Congresswoman and one of Talarico's primary rivals.

Ahmad Hassan

A little-known candidate also running in the Texas Democratic Senate primary.

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What they’re saying

“Anybody that's, you know, not suffering from a terminal case of Trump Derangement Syndrome can see right away yesterday the exact story arc and how it was gonna play out.”

— Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman (FoxNews.com)

“Yesterday was a perfect encapsulation of why the American people have more trust in gas station sushi than they do in the national news media... And you guys ate it up like slop.”

— Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman (FoxNews.com)

“I think you guys should feel a bit ashamed for having been lied to and to just run with the lies. I think it was an embarrassing episode for the media.”

— Brendan Carr, FCC Chairman (FoxNews.com)

What’s next

The FCC has launched a probe into ABC's 'The View' following Talarico's appearance earlier this month, in addition to its ongoing enforcement of the equal-time rule for broadcast networks.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the complex interplay between media, politics, and government regulations. It underscores the need for journalists to carefully verify information and avoid being manipulated, while also raising questions about how politicians can navigate equal-time rules for political gain.