Host Jimmy Kimmel claims that his interview with Democratic candidate James Talarico will not be broadcast on TV due to pressure exerted by the FCC / The interview will be available only on YouTube

Host Jimmy Kimmel stated that his interview with James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, will not be broadcast on television because of pressure exerted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The material is scheduled to be published on YouTube.

On the program “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, the host claimed that the FCC threatened him, the show, ABC network, and its local affiliate stations after he invited political candidates who supposedly were not favored by the Trump administration. Kimmel specifically cited the risks for ABC affiliates in Texas, where Talarico will face Republican Ken Paxton, endorsed by Donald Trump, in November.

The White House denied the allegations. Spokesman Davis Ingle stated that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr did not threaten Kimmel in connection with the interview or with the invitation extended to other candidates.

ABC has been in conflict with the FCC and Carr for months. In September, Kimmel’s show was temporarily taken off the air after his comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, shortly after Carr had threatened action against ABC and Disney. In April, Trump called for the host to be sanctioned, and the FCC subsequently ordered an expedited review of Disney’s licenses. ABC sued the agency, accusing it of editorial retaliation.