Jimmy Kimmel Moves Talarico Interview to YouTube Citing FCC Threats

Jimmy Kimmel announced on Wednesday night that his interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico will not air on television and will instead be posted on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"

YouTube channel. Kimmel stated this decision was made out of consideration for local ABC affiliates in Texas and cited threats from the Trump administration's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) against his show, network, and affiliates. He explained that the FCC has threatened him, his show, ABC, and its local stations based on simple, traditional editorial decisions, guest bookings it would seem they don't like.

The interview was scheduled to air on Thursday. This move follows a similar instance in February when Stephen Colbert's show did not air an interview with Talarico, citing legal guidance that it could trigger the FCC's equal-time rule for other candidates. Colbert's show posted the interview to YouTube. ABC, which airs "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "The View," filed a lawsuit last month against the FCC, alleging a retaliatory campaign and punishing ABC by threatening broadcast licenses.

Kimmel has a history of interviews with political candidates, including Donald Trump in 2015 and 2016, noting that Trump did not object to such interviews when he was a candidate. Talarico is in a competitive Senate race against Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Talarico campaign and the FCC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.