Fact Check: Did FCC threaten Jimmy Kimmel over James Talarico interview?
WASHINGTON, DC: Jimmy Kimmel has accused the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of threatening his show and ABC over an interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Kimmel said the interview would not air on television because of the FCC’s pressure and would instead be released on YouTube. Let's fact-check the claim.
Claim: Jimmy Kimmel says FCC pressure led to James Talarico interview not airing on TV
Jimmy Kimmel announced on September 9, 2026, that 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' would not air his interview with James Talarico.
He said the decision came after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) threatened ABC under President Donald Trump's administration. Social media users shared Kimmel's claims, with some saying Trump or the FCC tried to "block" the interview from airing.
Kimmel said about the situation, "I interviewed Donald Trump when he was running for president in 2015. And at that time, when he was the one sitting next to me, he seemed to have no problem with the idea of talk-show hosts interviewing candidates."
He added, "In fact, he was very eager to come back for another interview, which he did just before he became the nominee in 2016."
Kimmel also shared, "But for some reason, and I can't seem to figure out what that reason is, something has changed. Now that he is president, his FCC has threatened me, threatened our show, threatened our network, ABC, our affiliates, our local stations based on simple traditional editorial decisions, guest bookings it would seem they don't like."
Kimmel further said, "And so out of consideration for our local stations, especially our ABC affiliates in Texas who would have to deal with this nonsense, my interview tomorrow with James Talarico will not air on television. It will be posted on YouTube instead."
Fact Check: The claim is false
No evidence shows the FCC directly threatened Jimmy Kimmel over his interview with James Talarico. A closer look at Kimmel's comments also shows that he never specifically said the FCC tried to stop the interview from airing on television.
However, this does not mean that the FCC and ABC have had no conflicts. The FCC and ABC are involved in several disputes, and ABC has argued that the agency has taken retaliatory actions because the Trump administration disagrees with some of the network's content.
Kimmel's comments about threats to him, his show, and ABC may have referred to one or more of these ongoing disputes rather than the Talarico interview alone.
Trump has also repeatedly criticized Kimmel and ABC in the past. On several occasions, he called for Kimmel to be fired and urged the FCC to revoke ABC's broadcast licenses over programs and coverage he disliked.
