FCC head denies bullying Kimmel's Talarico interview onto YouTube, viral success

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has denied allegations that he pressured CBS into cancelling The Late Show With Stephen Colbert last year and also targeted late-night critic Jimmy Kimmel. The latest on the list is Kimmel, whose interview with Texas senatorial candidate James Talarico was taken off public airways. Carr claimed the claims were a "hoax" meant to boost the ratings of the talk show host and increase the donations of Talarico, a leading candidate.

He emphasized that the Equal Time statute does not prevent any candidate from being interviewed on broadcast TV, but rather promotes more speech rather than less. ABC is currently suing Carr's agency for enforcing broadcast policy selectively, among other First Amendment issues. Kimmel had previously stated that the FCC had threatened him, his show, and network by attempting to control their editorial decisions.

Prior to his interview with Talarico, Kimmel had threatened to leave ABC after Carr directed viewers to complain about his comments on the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Despite the FCC under Carr's leadership employing a "I'm not touching you" strategy, networks have made decisions to appease Donald Trump.

Carr's attempt to silence Talarico has not been successful, as the interview has garnered nearly 8 million views as of the morning.