Stephen Colbert revealed that CBS had refused to air his interview with Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico, a U.S. Senate candidate, citing concerns about potential repercussions from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Colbert made the announcement on his show, highlighting the network's directive and the implications for political coverage.
According to Colbert, the decision came directly from CBS's lawyers, who cited guidance on changing broadcasting regulations put forward by FCC chairman Brendan Carr in January. Colbert stated, "We were told in no uncertain terms by our network's lawyers... that we could not have him on the broadcast." He further noted that he was also prohibited from mentioning the cancellation of the interview.
The incident underscores the ongoing debate about media regulations and their impact on political discourse, particularly regarding the FCC's scrutiny of the "bona fide news" exemption, as reported by Ars Technica. CBS and its parent company were contacted for comment by TIME but had not yet responded at the time of publication.
In other political news, multiple sources, including NPR News, indicated a significant decline in Donald Trump's support among young people during his second term. Polls showed a sharp drop in approval ratings among Gen Z voters, with disapproval rates significantly increasing since early 2025. This shift suggests a potential erosion of a key demographic that previously supported Trump.
Data from the Pew Research Center showed that Trump received 39% of the vote share among 18-29-year-olds in the 2024 presidential election. However, an EconomistYouGov poll conducted February 6-9 showed that Trump's Gen Z approval dropped to its lowest level in his second term. The drop among young men has been particularly stark, according to TIME.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton accused the Trump Administration of engaging in a cover-up over the release of files tied to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton told the BBC in Berlin, "What we're seeing, I think it's fair to say, is a continuing cover-up by the Trump Administration." She criticized Attorney General Pam Bondi's testimony at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, referring to it as evasive and failing to address the matter at hand.
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