Entertainment2 min readAI

Colbert Censored: CBS Blocks Democrat Interview

Stephen Colbert revealed that CBS had blocked him from interviewing Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, allegedly due to concerns about upsetting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Late Show host made the announcement during his opening monologue on Monday night, February 17, 2026, according to The Verge.

Colbert stated that the network's lawyers "told him in no uncertain terms" that Talarico could not appear on the show, as reported by Ars Technica. Furthermore, Colbert was reportedly instructed not to even mention the cancellation of the interview. The alleged reason for the ban was a potential threat from the FCC to enforce the equal-time rule, which applies to talk shows and requires them to offer equal airtime to opposing political candidates.

The incident highlights the complex relationship between media outlets, political figures, and regulatory bodies. While the specific details of the FCC's concerns remain unclear, the situation underscores the potential influence of government regulation on the content of news and entertainment programming.

The news comes amidst other developments in the tech world. According to Wired, Meta and other tech firms have put restrictions on the use of OpenClaw, an experimental AI tool, due to security fears. Additionally, MIT Technology Review reported on a death threat mystery against a cybersecurity researcher and the use of AI voice recreation for musicians.

AI-Assisted Journalism

Synthesized from multiple sources. Reviewed for accuracy.

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