Late-night host Stephen Colbert isn’t backing down from public dispute with CBS bosses

Associated Press (AP) Political StrategyNews ReportEN 3 min read 100% complete by By DAVID BAUDERFebruary 18, 2026 at 01:53 PM

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Stephen Colbert is publicly disputing CBS executives over their decision to pull an interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico from "The Late Show." Colbert claims CBS lawyers cited concerns about violating FCC "equal time" rules, requiring broadcasters to offer equal airtime to opposing candidates. Colbert argues that this rule has not been enforced for talk show interviews in decades. He aired the Talarico interview on YouTube instead and criticized CBS's decision on his show, even discarding a copy of the network's statement denying his claim. Colbert believes CBS preemptively enforced a potential rule change that the FCC hasn't actually implemented.

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Key Claims (5)

AI-Extracted

CBS lawyers had approved Colbert's script about the pulled interview.

quote — Stephen Colbert100% confidence

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr was considering removing the late-night talk show exemption to the equal time rule.

factual100% confidence

Colbert showed the Talarico interview on YouTube after it was pulled from CBS.

factual100% confidence

CBS denied that its lawyers told Colbert he couldn’t show the Talarico interview.

factual — CBS100% confidence

Stephen Colbert says his interview with James Talarico was pulled due to FCC "equal time" guidance concerns.

quote — Stephen Colbert100% confidence

Claims are automatically extracted and should be independently verified. Attribution indicates the stated source of the claim.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Chicago 30% Los Angeles 30% Texas ×240% Brendan Carr ×250% Federal Communications Commission ×260% James Talarico ×470% CBS ×680% Stephen Colbert ×790%

Keywords

stephen colbert 100% cbs 90% late-night talk show 90% equal time rule 80% public dispute 80% james talarico 70% federal communications commission 70% interview pulled 60% brendan carr 50% censorship 40%