Summary (tl;dr)

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel announced that his interview with Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico will not air on ABC due to alleged pressure and threats from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Trump administration, prompting a shift to YouTube for the broadcast.

Essential Background

James Talarico is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives who is currently running for the U.S. Senate in Texas against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. Kimmel, the host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", has previously been critical of the Trump administration, and the ABC network, owned by the Walt Disney Co., is reportedly in an ongoing dispute with the FCC. This is not the first instance of a late-night show facing such issues; Stephen Colbert's interview with Talarico earlier this year also did not air on CBS due to similar concerns regarding the FCC's "equal time" rule.

The Full Story

On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Jimmy Kimmel announced during his monologue that an interview with James Talarico, which was slated to air on ABC, would instead be posted in its entirety on his YouTube channel. Kimmel stated that the FCC, under the Trump administration, had "threatened" him, his show, the ABC network, and its local affiliates over "simple traditional editorial decisions" and "guest bookings it would seem they don't like." He implied that this pressure was politically motivated, given the tight Senate race in Texas and the upcoming midterm elections. Kimmel emphasized that the decision not to air the interview on television was made "out of consideration" for ABC's local stations, particularly those in Texas, to prevent them from "deal[ing] with this nonsense." Separately, Talarico has also recently been in the news as a Fort Worth man was charged in early August 2026 for allegedly sending him terroristic threats via email and Instagram.

Why It Matters

This situation raises significant concerns about potential political interference in media and the freedom of speech, especially as it involves a regulatory body like the FCC allegedly pressuring major television networks during a crucial election cycle. The incident highlights questions about the impartiality of government oversight in media and the ability of news and entertainment outlets to freely interview political candidates. While the interview's broadcast on YouTube instead of traditional television may limit its reach, the controversy itself has likely generated increased attention for James Talarico and his U.S. Senate campaign. This event also underscores the broader political tensions and the heightened scrutiny of media by government entities, which could influence future political coverage and public discourse.

Geographic Location

• Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (production location of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" where the announcement was made)
• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (location of the Federal Communications Commission, alleged source of pressure)
• Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, United States (location where a man was charged for making terroristic threats against James Talarico)
• Texas, United States (state where James Talarico is running for U.S. Senate and where ABC affiliates would have been affected by the decision)