In a dramatic on-air revelation on February 17, 2026, The Late Show host Stephen Colbert accused CBS of preventing the broadcast of his pre-taped interview with Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico. Citing FCC equal-time rule concerns under the Trump administration, the network reportedly directed the segment to YouTube instead. Colbert called it an effort to “silence critics.” Here is a complete professional roundup of how top global outlets covered the story.
Caption: James Talarico, Texas State Representative and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in the 2026 primary.
Stephen Colbert says CBS blocked interview with Texas Democrat over FCC concerns - The Washington Post The Washington Post reported that Stephen Colbert publicly rebuked CBS, claiming lawyers for parent company Paramount Skydance prohibited the broadcast of his interview with Texas state Rep. James Talarico over fears of violating the FCC’s equal-time rule. The host said he was told the segment could not air and was initially discouraged from even mentioning it. Colbert ultimately shared the full interview on The Late Show’s YouTube channel.
Trump critic Colbert says CBS blocked interview with Democratic candidate - South China Morning Post The South China Morning Post highlighted Stephen Colbert’s role as a vocal Trump critic while covering how CBS allegedly blocked the interview with the Democratic Senate candidate. The report placed the incident in the context of growing regulatory pressure from the Trump administration’s FCC.
Colbert says CBS spiked planned James Talarico interview amid FCC pressure - POLITICO Politico detailed how Colbert accused CBS of spiking the planned interview with James Talarico amid FCC pressure. The host told his audience that network lawyers stated the interview could not air because it might trigger equal-time obligations for other candidates.
Stephen Colbert calls out CBS for blocking interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico - Los Angeles Times The Los Angeles Times covered Stephen Colbert openly calling out CBS for blocking the interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. The host explained that lawyers told him the segment could not be broadcast due to FCC concerns.
Caption: Split view of Stephen Colbert and James Talarico from the full interview segment released exclusively on YouTube.
Stephen Colbert says CBS blocks James Talarico interview from air - CNBC CNBC reported that Stephen Colbert stated CBS blocked the James Talarico interview from airing on television. Viewers were directed to the YouTube version.
Colbert Says CBS Wouldn’t Air His Interview With Texas Democrat Due to FCC Concerns - TIME TIME magazine examined how Colbert claimed CBS would not air his interview with the Texas Democrat due to recent FCC guidance on late-night talk shows and the equal-time rule.
Stephen Colbert slams CBS, says lawyers told him James Talarico interview could not air on "The Late Show" - CBS News CBS News quoted Colbert: “We were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers… that we could not have him on the broadcast.” CBS later clarified it provided legal guidance only and did not prohibit the interview.
Caption: Stephen Colbert in the studio during the February 17, 2026 episode that sparked the media firestorm.
Stephen Colbert says CBS blocked interview with Democratic candidate James Talarico - CBC News CBC News offered an international view, noting the timing coincided with early voting in Texas ahead of the March 3, 2026 primary.
CBS denies it pulled Stephen Colbert's James Talarico interview - The Hill The Hill reported CBS’s denial: “The Late Show was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview… The show was provided legal guidance… and presented options.” The network said the decision to go to YouTube was made by the show.
‘They Want To Silence Critics’: Stephen Colbert Slams Trump After CBS Blocks Democrat's Interview Multiple outlets quoted Colbert linking the decision to the Trump administration, saying “They want to silence critics” and framing it as part of a larger pattern affecting political discourse.
This high-profile controversy has reignited debate on FCC regulations, corporate media caution, and press freedom ahead of the 2026 midterms. While Colbert sees it as censorship, CBS maintains it was routine legal advice. The full unaired interview with James Talarico is now freely available on The Late Show’s YouTube channel and has already crossed millions of views. Stay tuned for further developments as the Texas Senate race and FCC policies evolve.
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