this post was submitted on 17 Feb 2026
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Hacker News.

Late-night host Stephen Colbert accused his network, CBS, of refusing to broadcast his interview with Texas Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, during Monday night’s airing of “The Late Show” for fear of running afoul of the Trump administration.

Colbert said CBS canceled Talarico’s appearance on air in light of guidance issued Jan. 21 by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, which directed daytime and late-night TV talk show hosts to offer equal airtime to all political candidates running for a given office. Talk shows have long been exempted from these “equal time” rules when conducting “bona fide news interviews,” allowing them to book political candidates without bringing on their opponents.

Talarico “was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert said in a segment explaining the cancelation. “Then I was told in some uncertain terms that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this.”

The interview was set to air on Monday night’s show the day before the start of early voting for Texas’ March 3 primaries. Talarico is vying for the Senate Democratic nomination against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas.

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[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 17 points 13 hours ago (4 children)

Talarico seems to have his shit together. That said, keep your religion the fuck outta government. It’s fine pointing out the religious hypocrisy and charlatans in politics, but opening the door to religion, even if the individual is agreeable, is a bad idea.

[–] JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world 19 points 12 hours ago (3 children)

Are you suggesting only agnostics should govern?

Talarico said in the interview he wants the separation of church and state to return as the current blend diminishes both.

[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 4 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Wouldn’t that be something?

But that’s not what I said. I said keep your religion outta my government. I didn’t say you couldn’t have religion.

[–] JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world 5 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

In the statement "keep your religion outta my government", the line between 'keep your religious beliefs from influencing governmental decision making' and 'people belonging to a religion should be restricted from participating in the running of government' is quite fine, which is why I asked.

I appreciate your answering.

[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 5 points 10 hours ago

Ok, I see your point. It is a fine line. But I’m trying to make the distinction here that Talarico’s popularity is in a large part because of his vocal religious take. I firmly believe in separating church and State, and just because I agree with what one “church” is saying doesn’t mean we should invite the devil in the door yet again.

[–] AlfredoJohn@sh.itjust.works 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

While my personal belief is that relgions should be abolished and I would much prefer no relgious individuals ran for government positions trying to ban someone off of thier beliefs like that with how prevelant relgion is today would just be setting bad precedent that could be turned against a population when you have people like the pedo in chief out governing the world. I will say any devout relgious person running would have me question how unbiased they could be as truly believing in fairtales and myths just already shows a severe deficiency in critical thinking skills.

With that being said I would still vote a sock into office over the domestic terrorist group that is the republican party. Perfect is the enemy of good so if this indivual at least truly believes in separation of church and state I am not going to dwell on their cognitive dissonance regarding religion as it seems to be helping keep them objective and move us in the right direction again.

[–] 5wim@infosec.pub 6 points 11 hours ago

You're really sleeping on the comma. They might seem unnecessary, but they are not.

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[–] Notyou@sopuli.xyz 6 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

Did you listen to his interview?

He states that his belief is that the separation of Church and State should 100% be protected. Not just to protect the government but to protect the religion, so it doesn't get taken advantage of by political movement like Christian Nationalists.

He mainly pushed love God and love your neighbor. If you loved your neighbor, then you wouldn't push your religion or any other belief on them.

I'm paraphrasing but that's what I got out of it. I think he's someone that could break through to some of the religious right.

[–] RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 2 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago) (1 children)

I have listened to several of his interviews. That’s why I even bother to indicate I appreciate his take. Pardon me if I treat someone with skepticism riding heavily on a platform that is at minimum rehotorically religious stating they believe in separation of church and State.

[–] Notyou@sopuli.xyz 1 points 8 hours ago

Fair point to treat candidates with skepticism. Especially now.

[–] UltraMagnus@startrek.website 4 points 10 hours ago

I'm torn on this - Christianity (particularly evangelical christianity) has had an extremely negative effect on democracy in our country and has caused physical harm to others.

However, I think most people with a conscience subscribe to some form of philosophy or religion (even if atheists aren't "loyal" to any particular perspective and may not even use titles/categories to describe their value system) and I think it's fine for your morals/conscience to influence decision making. Even a purely scientific decision making process could be considered a form of philosophy.

That being said, most organized religion is about obedience to the tenets of said religion, not a method of asking questions about the world to try to find the most just way to proceed.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 4 points 11 hours ago

The US has been ChristoFascist for decades, banning stem cell research, stopping vaccines, every President has to attend some bullshit church, even the pedophiles.

[–] lechekaflan@lemmy.world 3 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 12 hours ago)

Meanwhile fucking ROGER STONE is still breathing and has a soapbox.

[–] chillpanzee@lemmy.ml 101 points 1 day ago (5 children)

It's subservience, not fear on CBS's part.

Good on Colbert for bringing a little Streisand effect to the party.

[–] melsaskca@lemmy.ca 5 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

It's subservience because of fear.

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

The only fear for Ellison and Weiss is decent people ending their genocide.

[–] hector@lemmy.today 1 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

I though Colbert was cancelled from the first of this year?

[–] mcv@lemmy.zip 2 points 9 hours ago

I think he's cancelled in May or thereabouts. It's a very slow cancellation.

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)
[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 19 points 1 day ago

Subservience to the FCC and the administration is the excuse. The real reason is that David Ellison is afraid the dem might win.

The majority owner of CBS is Paramount Global, which itself is controlled by Skydance Media, a company led by David Ellison (son of Larry Ellison), following a significant acquisition of the Redstone family's stake in mid-2025.

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[–] roofuskit@lemmy.world 250 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Remember, CBS is now owned by a Trump ally.

[–] ceenote@lemmy.world 151 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

Correct, they refused to air it not out of fear of the FCC, but out of fear of that Texans might like what Talarico has to say.

[–] baltakatei@sopuli.xyz 28 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Texas flips blue is on my Bingo card.

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[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 20 points 1 day ago (2 children)

And it's a hell of a brave thing Colbert and crew are doing in speaking out.

They're patriots at a time when speech isn't free.

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[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com -3 points 10 hours ago

Remember, CBS is now owned by a ~~Trump ally~~ zionist.

Let's be real about where the loyalties lie.

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[–] protist@mander.xyz 177 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (8 children)

You can still (and should) watch it on YouTube!

Rep. James Talarico On Confronting Christian Nationalism, And Strange Days In The Texas Legislature

Edit: If you feel so inclined, you can donate to his US Senate campaign here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jt-tx-web

[–] jballs@sh.itjust.works 60 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That guy was super well spoken and had a good message. I'm surprised I hadn't heard of him before. Always nice to see the Streisand Effect in action!

[–] mPony@kbin.earth 22 points 1 day ago

He was definitely well spoken and definitely had a good message. It's not at all surprising that we haven't heard of him.

[–] Reygle@lemmy.world 30 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If the link goes dark I've pulled copy, hit me up.

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[–] FreeLikeGNU@lemmy.world 35 points 1 day ago (14 children)

Talarico is vying for the Senate Democratic nomination against U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Dallas.

Interesting. Crockett is one of the very few Dems willing if not just able to navigate through Republican tactics. What could Talarico offer?

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Literally the only defining feature I've seen listed about him is that he's very Christian.

So yeah... Not a big fan of that.

[–] mcv@lemmy.zip 2 points 9 hours ago

Not for you perhaps, but for a lot of people that's important. There are way too many people who falsely think the Republicans are the Christian party, and that's unfortunately helped by Christians who separate their faith from politics. It's vital that more Christians speak out about the hypocrisy and perversion of the "Religious Right", or uninformed people will continue to be led astray by them.

It's not good for you either if they continue to vote Republican, so give him this opportunity to set them straight.

[–] Triasha@lemmy.world 11 points 22 hours ago

Talerico. Brings his sincerity, faith, and working class background in in one of the poorest school districts in the country. He has integrity and and a way of invoking Christianity that I think resonates in Texas. He appeals to a broad swath of voters without compromising his progressive ideals.

I would vote for Crocket if she wasn't up against Talerico. But as is, I think he has a better shot at the general and I trust him more.

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com -3 points 10 hours ago

Colbert is a religious wacko so they're probably great homies.

[–] EncryptKeeper@lemmy.world 6 points 21 hours ago

Talarico resonates with the deeply Christian left

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[–] LoafedBurrito@lemmy.world 56 points 1 day ago (1 children)

This stunt has caused the video to get 100 times the views it would normally get. I watched it and i never catch the colbert report unless i stumble across is online.

The Trump administration is doing their best to destroy this country, but even republicans know you don't touch the first amendment.

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[–] frazw@lemmy.world 89 points 1 day ago (7 children)

Banning something is a sure fire way to give it oxygen. Streisand effect

The problem Trump has in doing this type of suppression is that it gains more attention and riles people up more than if he had let the interview air. Sure the interview might have said things he didn't want to be said, but now he has made this a much bigger issue and he looks weak because he is scared at the mere prospect of some words being uttered.

[–] furzegulo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 62 points 1 day ago (1 children)

i wouldn't have watched the interview if cbs hadn't cancelled it

[–] FauxLiving@lemmy.world 49 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Same

And, in hindsight, I'm glad I did. That guy has the right idea.

He said 'It's not left vs right, it's top vs bottom'.

Exactly what we need our politicians to be acknowledging

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[–] BreadstickNinja@lemmy.world 40 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yep, and Colbert has no reason to pull any punches either. They already canceled his show to appease the administration. Why would Stephen hesitate to tell the world every time CBS bends the knee?

Good on him for calling out every time they act as state propaganda and not a news network.

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[–] nednobbins@lemmy.zip 13 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Talarivo and Crockett both seem like good candidates at first glance.

Neither should be censored.

[–] prenatal_confusion@feddit.org 5 points 21 hours ago

Yesterday the Interview wasn't shown on the YouTube page. The search in the YouTube app Colbert talarico had zero aut suggestions and only showed the result after submitting. Oooof

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 28 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Brilliant bit of marketing to blare "We've been censored by the FCC!" from the rooftops, on the day the Texas primary starts.

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