Jimmy Kimmel Moves Texas Senate Candidate Interview to YouTube Amid FCC Threats

Jimmy Kimmel uploaded his interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico to YouTube on Thursday after the FCC threatened legal action against networks that aired the segment. The comedian revealed during his Wednesday monologue that he opted to release the conversation online to protect ABC affiliates in Texas from potential regulatory repercussions. “We’re being targeted by the FCC for the crime of interviewing political candidates,” Kimmel explained in the video. “Even though for years we, and every other late-night show, have welcomed numerous candidates, including Donald Trump.”

The 20-minute interview features Talarico discussing his campaign against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and addressing fears within Republican ranks about his electoral prospects. “They’re worried we’re going to win this race in Texas,” Talarico said. “But we are the underdogs until the last vote is counted. We’re not just going up against the most corrupt politician in Texas. We’re going up against this entire corrupt system.”

During their conversation, Talarico criticized the current political climate, stating, “People are tired of politics as professional wrestling. These old guys, lathered up in their fake tans, throwing corny nicknames at each other. These nicknames, they don’t lower the price of groceries. They don’t lower the price of gas. They don’t lower the cost of healthcare.” He emphasized his motivation for running, saying, “The only reason I ran for office, the only reason I’m running for the U.S. Senate, is to try to love my neighbor through public policy, trying to make my neighbor’s life easier and better and less stressful.”

Recent developments include criticism from White House press secretary Davis Ingle, who accused Kimmel of “play-acting” and “creating a false narrative” about the administration’s policies. Ingle disputed claims that FCC Chairman Carr had threatened Kimmel, stating in a USA Today statement that no such threats were made. This marks the second major late-night host to bypass traditional broadcast channels this year, following Stephen Colbert’s reported exclusion from CBS after planning an interview with Talarico, which CBS denied was due to FCC pressure.

Source link