Jimmy Kimmel has moved an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico from ABC to YouTube, saying scrutiny from Donald Trump’s Federal Communications Commission had made broadcasting it too risky for the network and its affiliates.
The interview was due to feature on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, but Kimmel said during Wednesday night’s programme that it would instead be released online.
“Now that [Trump] is president, his FCC has threatened me, threatened our show, threatened our network, ABC, our affiliates, our local stations, based on simple, traditional editorial decisions,” he said.
Kimmel said the decision had been taken “out of consideration” for ABC affiliates, which he claimed would otherwise have to deal with further FCC scrutiny.
“In the America we live in right now, that is the best we can do, until November, of course,” he added.
The FCC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
FCC scrutiny of political talk shows
The dispute follows guidance issued by the FCC’s Media Bureau in January on the political equal opportunities rules. The agency said broadcasters could be required to provide comparable time and placement to opposing candidates when political figures appear on programmes that do not qualify for the exemption for “bona fide” news interviews.
The notice specifically addressed late-night and daytime talk shows, raising questions over whether interviews on programmes such as Jimmy Kimmel Live! and ABC’s The View would automatically be protected from the requirement.
FCC commissioner Anna Gomez said at the time that the notice had not formally changed the law or been adopted as a new Commission-wide policy, but warned that it could place pressure on broadcasters and chill editorial decisions.
Talarico, a Texas state representative, is challenging Republican Ken Paxton for a US Senate seat. Paxton has been endorsed by Trump, while public polling has shown Talarico marginally ahead in the contest.
Kimmel said he had interviewed political candidates, including Trump, for years. His latest decision comes as ABC continues to face pressure from the Trump administration over its broadcasting licences and programming.
In April, the FCC began an early renewal process for ABC-owned stations, citing an investigation into the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices. ABC submitted the renewal applications but sued the agency in August, describing the investigation as a retaliatory campaign and raising First Amendment concerns.
The broadcaster also temporarily suspended Kimmel’s show last year after comments he made following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The programme returned after roughly a week, but the episode intensified debate over government influence, broadcasting regulation and the editorial independence of late-night television.
