FCC's Carr Denies Colbert's Censorship Claims

The FCC Chairman Brendan Carr denied on Wednesday that the U.S. government censored CBS's The Late Show host Stephen Colbert from airing an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, calling claims of censorship a "hoax" and attributing the decision to CBS's own compliance with equal-time rules.

Carr confirmed the FCC has launched an enforcement action to investigate whether ABC's The View violated the equal-time provision following an earlier interview with Talarico.

The Republican-led FCC issued guidance in January stating that daytime and late-night talk shows no longer automatically qualify as "bona fide" news programs exempt from equal-time obligations, which require broadcasters to provide comparable airtime to opposing candidates if one appears.

Carr stated there was "no censorship here at all," explaining that Colbert could have aired the Talarico interview by also providing equal time to competing Democratic candidates (such as Rep. Jasmine Crockett) or by limiting the broadcast outside Texas. 

In January 2026, the FCC warned that late-night and daytime talk shows, previously often exempt, must comply with the longstanding "equal time" rule (Section 315 of the Communications Act) if appearances are deemed political rather than news or exempt. Carr has criticized perceived partisan bias in shows like "The View" and pushed for broader application, though experts note the rule is narrow and the guidance emphasizes "more speech, not less."

Broadcasters remain responsible for ensuring their programming complies with FCC rules, and non-compliance could lead to liability, he added.

Carr dismissed Colbert's criticisms personally, suggesting the host perceives his "limelight fading" but insisting it does not alter the facts.