Jimmy Kimmel announced on Wednesday that an upcoming interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico will not be broadcast on ABC, citing increased scrutiny from the Federal Communications Commission. Instead, the interview will premiere on YouTube on Thursday.
Kimmel expressed confusion and frustration regarding the shift in editorial strategy. “For some reason, and I can’t seem to figure out what that reason is, something has changed,” he told viewers during his monologue. He attributed the decision to threats issued by the FCC under the current Trump administration, stating that the regulatory body has targeted his show, the ABC network, and its local affiliates over routine programming choices.
The host emphasized that the move was made out of consideration for ABC’s affiliate stations, which he said should not have to navigate the “nonsense” of potential FCC enforcement. “In the America we live in right now, that is the best we can do, until November, of course,” Kimmel said.
An FCC spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment. However, the regulatory landscape has shifted significantly this year. In January, the FCC questioned whether late-night talk shows qualify as “bona fide” news programs, a status that would exempt them from strict equal airtime rules required for political candidates. Similar scrutiny has been directed at ABC’s “The View.”
Talarico, a state representative, is engaged in a competitive race against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton, who was impeached by the state House on corruption allegations before being acquitted by the state Senate, has received the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Recent polling indicates Talarico holds a slight lead.
Kimmel noted that his program has a long history of interviewing political figures, including President Trump himself. Nevertheless, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” has increasingly become a focal point for debates surrounding broadcasting rights, First Amendment protections, and government intervention in media.
The show previously faced significant backlash last year following Kimmel’s monologue about the killing of Charlie Kirk. The controversy led ABC affiliate owners to boycott the program, resulting in a suspension of broadcasts for approximately one week. Kimmel later stated that he never intended to make light of the incident.
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