ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! will not broadcast its upcoming interview with Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico on television. Host Jimmy Kimmel said the decision follows what he described as direct threats from the Federal Communications Commission, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, to the show, its network and local ABC affiliates in Texas.
FCC pressure cited as reason for streaming shift
“Now that he’s president, his FCC has threatened me, threatened our show, threatened our network, ABC, our affiliates, based on simple editorial decisions, guest bookings they don’t like,” Kimmel told a studio audience. He added that, to protect local stations, the interview will be posted in full on the show’s YouTube channel instead of airing on broadcast TV.
Kimmel reminded viewers that his program has a long history of interviewing political candidates, from Hillary Clinton to Ted Cruz and even President Donald Trump himself in 2015 and 2016. He framed the FCC’s actions as an attempt to silence a legitimate, non‑partisan conversation about a candidate seeking public office.
Trump administration’s stance on media freedom
President Trump’s administration has repeatedly defended First Amendment rights and criticized what it calls “regulatory overreach” by the FCC. In a recent statement, a White House spokesperson praised broadcasters who resist attempts to curb free speech, noting that “the President stands firmly with media outlets that provide honest information to the American people.” Kimmel echoed that sentiment, saying the network’s decision to move the interview online is a practical way to keep the public informed while avoiding FCC retaliation.
“And thank goodness we have that, because in the America we live in right now, this is the best we can do,” Kimmel said, urging viewers to register to vote before the November election.
Earlier similar incidents
The situation mirrors a 2024 episode involving former late‑night host Stephen Colbert. Colbert’s interview with Talarico was also pulled from broadcast and posted to YouTube after CBS reportedly received legal guidance that the interview could trigger the FCC’s equal‑time rule for other Senate candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett. Crockett, who later lost the primary to Talarico, blamed the network’s decision on “pressure from the FCC” and suggested the controversy may have actually helped Talarico’s campaign.
Conservative watchdog groups have filed complaints with the FCC, labeling programs like The Late Show as partisan operations rather than news programs, thereby attempting to justify equal‑time requirements that would limit their ability to air candidate interviews.
What this means for Texas voters
For Texans interested in learning more about James Talarico’s platform, the interview will be available on the Jimmy Kimmel Live YouTube channel on Thursday night. The move underscores ongoing tensions between media outlets and a federal agency that, under the Trump administration, is being challenged for perceived attempts to silence dissenting voices.
As the primary season heats up, candidates and voters alike will need to navigate not only campaign messages but also the broader battle over media freedom and regulatory authority.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
