Jimmy Kimmel says show won’t air James Talarico interview on TV, citing FCC threats

Jimmy Kimmel announced on Wednesday night that his show would not air his upcoming interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on television, citing the Trump administration’s threats against ABC.

Jimmy Kimmel announced on Wednesday night that his show would not air his upcoming interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on television, citing the Trump administration’s threats against ABC.

Kimmel said that during President Donald Trump’s administration, the Federal Communications Commission “has threatened me, threatened our show, threatened our network, ABC, our affiliates, our local stations, based on simple, traditional editorial decisions, guest bookings it would seem they don’t like.”

“Out of consideration for our local stations, especially our ABC affiliates in Texas, who would have to deal with this nonsense, my interview tomorrow with James Talarico will not air on television,” he said.

The interview, set for Thursday, will be posted on the YouTube channel for “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” instead, he explained. Talarico, a Democratic Texas state representative, is locked in a competitive Senate race with Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.Brandon Bell / Getty Images fileThe Talarico campaign and the FCC did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment. ABC Entertainment declined to comment.