Jimmy Kimmel says interview with Democrat won't air on TV, cites regulator 'threats'

September 10, 2026

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel announced that his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico will only be released on YouTube rather than broadcast on television, attributing this decision to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission under the Trump administration. Kimmel claims the FCC threatened him, his show, and ABC network over editorial choices and guest selections they disapprove of, particularly regarding the upcoming Texas Senate race between Talarico and Trump-backed Republican Ken Paxton. The White House has denied that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr made any threats related to interviewing Talarico, calling Kimmel's claims a "false narrative.

Who is affected

Jimmy Kimmel and his show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
ABC network and its parent company Disney
ABC affiliate stations, particularly those in Texas
Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico
Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr
CBS network and host Stephen Colbert (mentioned in related context)
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk (mentioned in related context)

What action is being taken

Kimmel's interview with Talarico is being posted on YouTube instead of airing on television
ABC is suing the FCC over alleged unfair targeting related to editorial content
The FCC is conducting an early review of Disney's television broadcast licenses

Why it matters

This situation raises significant concerns about press freedom and potential government interference with editorial independence in broadcast media. The conflict highlights tensions between regulatory authority and First Amendment protections, particularly when a federal agency with licensing power over broadcasters appears to be responding to content critical of or politically opposed to the current administration. The outcome of this dispute could set precedents for how much influence government regulators can exert over television networks' editorial decisions, which has broader implications for media independence and democratic discourse, especially during election periods when political coverage is most critical.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC