Stephen Colbert Alleges CBS Censorship Amid FCC Regulatory Pressure
In a striking on-air revelation, Stephen Colbert, the host of CBS's "Late Show," informed his audience on Monday that he was unable to broadcast a previously recorded interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Colbert attributed this decision directly to intervention from CBS's legal team, who cited threats from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr.
FCC Rule Threats and Corporate Compliance
Colbert explained that Carr has publicly considered revoking the rule that classifies talk show interviews with political candidates as "news" content. Under current regulations, this classification exempts such segments from equal-time requirements for opposing candidates. Although the rule remains unchanged, Colbert asserted that CBS is preemptively enforcing it as if it had been altered. "My network is unilaterally enforcing it as if he had," Colbert stated, adding sarcastically, "But I want to assure you, ladies and gentlemen, please, I want to assure you that this decision is for purely financial reasons."
This incident highlights broader concerns about the Trump administration's use of regulatory authority to suppress dissenting voices, leveraging corporate America's pursuit of monopoly power. Colbert implied that CBS is yielding to political pressure due to its parent company, Paramount Skydance, which was recently formed after Donald Trump megadonor Larry Ellison and his son David Ellison acquired Paramount.
CBS Denial and Alternative Broadcast
CBS issued a statement denying that Colbert was prohibited from airing the Talarico interview. "THE LATE SHOW was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview with Rep. James Talarico," the network declared. "The show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and presented options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled. THE LATE SHOW decided to present the interview through its YouTube channel with on-air promotion on the broadcast rather than potentially providing the equal-time options."
Despite this explanation, Colbert's accusations have fueled debates about media independence and political interference.
Broader Media Landscape and Consolidation
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of significant media consolidation and alleged rightward shifts within CBS. Anderson Cooper recently announced his resignation from "60 Minutes," another CBS program, ostensibly to focus on his CNN show and family. However, media reporter Oliver Darcy suggested that Cooper's departure was motivated by the network's "rightward direction" and increased management interference in reporting.
FCC Chairman Carr's regulatory actions extend beyond CBS. On February 7, the FCC opened an investigation into ABC's "The View" for potentially violating equal-time rules by hosting Talarico without offering time to other candidates in the Texas Senate race. In December, ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel faced temporary suspension after Carr attempted to have him fired over remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, threatening to revoke ABC's broadcasting license.
Corporate Changes and Political Allegiances
Since the Skydance-Paramount merger, CBS leadership under newly appointed conservative figure Bari Weiss—hired by David Ellison despite lacking broadcast news experience—has faced criticism for aligning with administration preferences. This alignment appears strategic as Ellison seeks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a move requiring FCC approval for media mergers.
Earlier instances suggest a pattern of accommodation. Paramount settled a lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16 million over edits to a "60 Minutes" interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, a case many legal experts deemed without merit. The settlement coincided with final regulatory approval for Skydance's takeover, though both the administration and Paramount deny any connection.
Colbert's show, which topped its time slot, was abruptly canceled in July, with an end date set for March 2026, shortly after he criticized the settlement. Trump celebrated the cancellation online, posting, "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired."
Ongoing Content Manipulation
Further evidence of content distortion emerged in December when Weiss pulled a "60 Minutes" segment exposing human rights violations under the Trump administration's immigration policies, claiming it needed more balance. The segment eventually aired in January with minimal promotion, scheduled against a major NFL playoff game.
Trump has publicly distanced himself from CBS's new ownership, writing on December 16, "For those people that think I am close with the new owners of CBS, please understand that 60 Minutes has treated me far worse since the so-called 'takeover', than they have ever treated me before. If they are friends, I’d hate to see my enemies!"
This saga underscores the complex interplay between regulatory threats, corporate interests, and media freedom, raising alarms about the erosion of journalistic independence in an era of heightened political polarization and consolidation.
