Colbert is ‘not interested’ in having ‘both sides’ on: Joe Concha
The article reports that Washington Examiner senior writer Joe Concha argues Stephen Colbert’s Late Show functions as a de facto Democratic fundraiser, noting Colbert has hosted far more Democrats than Republicans (with Liz Cheney being the only prominent Republican cited). It highlights a controversy over Colbert’s interview with Democratic Texas state Rep.James Talarico and CBS’s alleged warning that posting the interview could trigger the FCC’s equal-time rule, a warning Colbert dismissed as “crap.” The piece notes that Talarico’s campaign has raised about $2.5 million since the interview as he runs in the 2026 Texas Senate Democratic primary against Jasmine Crockett. On the Republican side, Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt are vying to replace retiring Sen. John Cornyn,with early voting underway and Election Day set for march 3. The article also explains the FCC equal-time rule, which requires broadcasters to offer equal opportunities to all legally qualified candidates.
Colbert is ‘not interested’ in giving ‘both sides’ a spot on his show: Joe Concha
Washington Examiner senior writer Joe Concha said Tuesday that Stephen Colbert’s show is “simply a super PAC” for Democratic politicians.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is drawing attention online after posting its interview with Democratic Texas state Rep. James Talarico on YouTube, despite CBS’s legal advice. The network said it advised Colbert that releasing this interview could trigger the Federal Communications Commission‘s equal time rule, though the late-night host called this statement “crap.”
The FCC’s equal time rule requires broadcast licensees to “afford equal opportunities” to all legally qualified candidates running for a particular office if the licensee permits one of the candidates to “use a broadcasting station.” However, Concha said that Colbert “doesn’t like having Republicans on his show.”
“He has had literally hundreds of Democrats on his show over the past few years,” Concha said on Fox News’s Jesse Watters Primetime, guest-hosted by Kayleigh McEnany. “The only Republican he’s ever had, if you want to call this person a Republican, is Liz Cheney, and that’s it! So Colbert is not interested in having both sides.”
Concha said Colbert’s show “ceased to be comedy many, many years ago, and is now just a super PAC” for Democratic candidates. While the Late Show with Stephen Colbert will be taken down in May, Concha said he would let Colbert go now since the host is “one big headache.”
Talarico is running in the Democratic primary for the 2026 Texas Senate race, where Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) is his opponent. Talarico said in an X post that his campaign has raised $2.5 million in donations since conducting his Colbert interview.
WHAT IS THE FCC EQUAL TIME RULE AT CENTER OF COLBERT-TALARICO INTERVIEW CONTROVERSY?
On the Republican side, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) are looking to succeed Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in the primary. Cornyn was elected to the Senate in 2002 and is seeking a fifth term in office.
Early voting in the Texas primary elections began on Tuesday, and Election Day is set for March 3.
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