Jimmy Kimmel says Trump’s FCC threatened show, moves James Talarico interview to YouTube
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jimmy Kimmel says his planned interview with Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico will not air on ABC after he claimed President Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) threatened his show and network over guest bookings. Instead, the interview will be posted in full on YouTube.
Kimmel made the announcement on Wednesday, September 9, saying the decision was made partly out of consideration for local ABC affiliates, particularly those in Texas.
This comes months after Stephen Colbert also moved an interview with Talarico to YouTube following concerns over the FCC’s equal-time guidance.
Jimmy Kimmel announces that the FCC is threatening him to block the airing of an interview with U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico.
— FactPost (@factpostnews) September 10, 2026
The interview will be posted on YouTube instead, where the FCC lacks jurisdiction. pic.twitter.com/A5z5YD7thE
Jimmy Kimmel details FCC threat
Kimmel recalled that Trump had appeared on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ twice before becoming president and explained why his upcoming Talarico interview would not make it to television.
“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,” the late-night talk show host said.
He then explained that he did not want local stations to face problems because of the interview.
“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,” Kimmel said.
Stephen Colbert also had to move James Talarico interview to YouTube
The situation is not new for Talarico. In February, Colbert announced that his planned interview with the Texas Democrat would not air on 'The Late Show' after CBS lawyers told him, “we could not have him on the broadcast.”
Colbert explained that the issue involved new guidance from FCC Chair Brendan Carr concerning the “equal time” rule.
The rule requires broadcasters that feature qualified political candidates to provide time to rivals if requested.
Late-night shows had previously been exempt from the rule, but Trump’s FCC indicated that protection would no longer apply.
As a result, Colbert’s interview with Talarico was posted on YouTube instead.
At the time, the comedian also pointed out the connection, saying, “Two of the people most affected by this threat are me and my friend Jimmy Kimmel.”
Jimmy Kimmel urges viewers to watch James Talarico interview and cast their votes
Kimmel acknowledged that the YouTube move could have another effect on Talarico’s Senate campaign.
After the Colbert interview was moved online in February, Talarico’s campaign said it raised $2.5 million in the following 24 hours.
Kimmel ended his remarks by urging viewers to vote. “Because that's the most important thing you can do,” he said.
He also reflected on the situation while explaining why viewers would have to watch the Talarico interview online.
“So, if you want to learn about a candidate for the Senate tomorrow, you will have to go to the 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' YouTube channel where you will see it in its entirety,” Kimmel said.
“And thank goodness we have that, because in the America we live in right now, that is the best that we can do — until November, of course,” he added.
