FCC chair Brendan Carr sets the record straight on Colbert censorship claims

Federal Communications Fee (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr set the file straight on Wednesday after late-night present host Stephen Colbert claimed censorship when he alleged that CBS barred the present from airing an interview with a politician.

Colbert advised viewers Monday that CBS stated he couldn’t host Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico of Texas on “The Late Present” due to issues about potential FCC scrutiny below the equal-time rule.

“This was violence between Democrats and Democrats,” Carr advised Fox Information host Laura Ingraham. “CBS was very clear that Colbert might have the interview he needed with that political candidate. They simply stated possibly give it equal time… However as an alternative of doing that, they claimed they have been victims.”

REPUBLICANS ARE VIRTUALLY CUT OUT OF DEM-DOMINATED PRACTICE PROGRAMS, AS FCC STREET TO REFORM NETWORK REGULATIONS

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr known as the furore surrounding The Late Present host Stephen Colbert’s interview with Texas Democratic state Rep. James Talarico a “hoax.” (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photos; Scott Kowalchyk ©2026 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved.)

The late-night host argued that the community’s alleged transfer was prompted by the president.

“Sir, you’re the chairman of the FCC, so you’re the FCC,” Colbert stated.

He added: “Let’s simply name this what it’s: Donald Trump’s administration needs to silence anybody who says something dangerous about Trump on TV, as a result of all Trump does is watch TV.”

The rule requires broadcasters to supply equal alternative to political candidates from opposing events on the general public airwaves.

“The The equal time rule, at its core, is about stopping conventional media from choosing winners and losers in elections,” Carr advised “The Ingraham Angle.” “It is so the American individuals can determine.”

COLBERT DESTROYS ‘CRAP’ CBS STATEMENT DENIAL NETWORK KILLED TALARICO INTERVIEW

Host Stephen Colbert on his present “The Late Present with Stephen Colbert” on July 21, 2025. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS by way of Getty Photos)

Carr argued that the scenario was an try to attract extra consideration to Talarico, the end result the equal-time rule is designed to forestall.

“This was all about a politician attempting to get consideration and clicks, and the information media ran with it like lemmings,” the FCC chairman stated. “They simply ate it.”

CBS responded to Colbert’s declare on Tuesday, chiding that the community had excluded Talarico’s interview from broadcast.

“CBS isn’t prohibited from airing The Late Present’s interview with Consultant James Talarico,” CBS stated in an announcement.

“The present acquired authorized steerage that the published might set off the FCC’s equal-time rule for 2 different candidates, together with Rep. Jasmine Crockett [D-Texas]and offered choices for a way equal time for different candidates may very well be fulfilled,” the assertion continued.

Late-night host Stephen Colbert held up the CBS Information assertion through the present on February 17, 2026. (CBS/Late Present)

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Carr pledged to proceed governing the FCC in accordance with present legal guidelines, together with the equal-time rule.

“Perhaps Colbert and different institution Democrats on this Democratic main need to favor one candidate over one other — I do not know, you may must ask them — however we will implement the regulation and maintain broadcasters accountable,” he stated.

Fox Information Digital reached out to “The Late Present” for remark.