Jimmy Kimmel says interview with Democrat won’t air on TV, cites regulator ‘threats’

TV personality Jimmy Kimmel has announced his interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico will not be broadcast on television due to pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Kimmel made the statement on his own show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, on Wednesday. According to Kimmel, the FCC, under the Trump administration, threatened him and his show based on their dislike of guest bookings.

The BBC has reached out to the FCC for a comment. A White House spokesperson denied any such threats by the FCC head regarding Kimmel's interview with Talarico or any other candidate. The Texas Senate race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat Talarico is crucial for determining whether Democrats can regain control of the US Senate for the final two years of Trump's presidency.

Kimmel, who has interviewed numerous political candidates, including former President Trump during his campaign, said he would post the interview on YouTube instead of airing it on television on Thursday. The White House spokesperson, Davis Ingle, dismissed Kimmel's claims as "play-acting" to create a false narrative about the administration's policies.

The FCC regulates broadcast licenses, radio, TV, and satellite airwaves. ABC, which airs Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has been in a dispute with the regulator and its Trump-appointed chairman Carr for months. In September, Kimmel was temporarily pulled off air for comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In April, Trump and his wife urged ABC to reprimand Kimmel for a joke he made about the First Lady.

Shortly after, the FCC ordered an early review of Disney's television broadcast licenses. In response, ABC sued the FCC, arguing it was unfairly targeting the network's editorial content. Trump has considered revoking the FCC licenses of several networks critical of his presidency.