Link: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/kimmels-abc-show-wont-air-interview-with-democrat-because-of-trump-fcc-threats/

I interviewed Donald Trump when he was running for president in 2015, and at that time when he was the one sitting next to me, he seemed to have no problem with the idea of talk show hosts interviewing candidates. In fact, he was very eager to come back for another interview, which he did just before he became the nominee in 2016.

But for some reason, and I can’t seem to figure out what that reason is, something has changed. Now that he’s president, his FCC has threatened me, threatened our show, threatened our network, ABC, our affiliates, our local stations, based on simple, traditional editorial decisions, guest bookings it would seem they don’t like.

Kimmel said the decision to put the interview on YouTube was made out of consideration for local stations that could face FCC threats to their broadcast licenses.

This is the same federal government that's now offering (non-existent) $5,000 checks to elect them.

So yeah, this sucks, but it's sort of small fries when democracy is clearly already dead.

Video of interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLDE9LrGpNk

I swear, Talarico has had more publicity because of the attempt to stop his segments from airing. Just like with Stephen Colbert.

Talarico is 100% perfect to represent Texas and if he wins, this will be a call out to all of the other red states to have more people like Talarico. He's very religious, but that's why the red states will love him. All of this attention is probably scaring the shit out of the magas. Trump has to win and why trump is saying to cheat. They're desperate at this point and don't really see streisand effects as a thing, for some reason. See reflecting pool.

His version of religion is the proper one, in my opinion. I'm not in Texas, so I can't vote for him, but hearing him talk about his religion just proves that the hateful bigots are just using it as an excuse for their disgusting rhetoric and actions. I feel like he's a good person who is religious, vs a bad person who thinks they're good because of religion.

I sure hope we're organzing some bussing for his voters to get to the polls. GOP will absolutely be closing stations and preventing mail in ballots from being counted

Freedom of the press strikes again.

I wonder if they could have gotten away with a dramatic interpretation of the interview with puppets or something. Do some malicious compliance.