The “TDS media and Democrats” are suffering under a new “outrage” because of broadcast fairness rules that require mostly equal time for political candidates using the public airwaves for their campaigns.
It seems talk show personality Jimmy Kimmel interviewed far-left Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico in Texas and was informed by the federal government that that interview would need to be accompanied by a similar interview with the Republican candidate, Ken Paxton.
That apparently is such an outrage that Kimmel commented on it, and was joined by a long list of leftist voices.
Harmeet Dhillon, of the U.S. Department of Justice, responded with, “Was the ‘threat’ to apply federal law to you? Oh.”
It was a commentary at Twitchy that said, the new “outrage” for “TDS media and Democrats” involved their desire to promote their candidate. Only their candidate.
TDS stands for Trump Derangement Syndrome and is applied to those whose response to any issue, problem or controversy is … “but TRUMP.” It’s typified by those who praise the filing of charges against Trump for having papers from his presidency in his home, but are aghast at the idea that Joe Biden should be charged for having papers from his vice presidency in his home.
Twitchy said, “Naturally the Trump-triggered are jumping right to a ‘censorship’ conclusion while hoping nobody understands how equal time rules work. The Kimmel show could interview Talarico, but they’d also have to have a chat with Ken Paxton, which they don’t want to do. Therefore, Kimmel’s talk with Talarico will be posted to his YouTube channel.”
Was the “threat” to apply federal law to you?
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) September 10, 2026
According to NBC, Kimmel confirmed the Talarico promotion would show up on YouTube, not the public’s airwaves used by his network.
The report claimed Kimmel charged, “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.'”
Similar complaints were raised months ago by entertainer Stephen Colbert, who said CBS did not air his Talarico interview out of “fear” of the FCC.
That network explained such a broadcast “could trigger the FCC equal-time rule” for other candidates.
ABC previously pulled Kimmel’s show after he commented about the assassination of activist Charlie Kirk.
ABC, Kimmel’s network, already is fighting the federal government, having been ordered by FCC chief Brendan Carr to apply early for broadcast license renewals for multiple stations. That fight is in the courts.
The FCC has determined “late-night and daytime talk shows must adhere to the equal time rule, which requires broadcasters to offer equal opportunities to other qualified candidates who are running for the same office.”
Jimmy Kimmel is either really stupid or he is lying. “Broadcasters” simply have to allow both candidates to be on air. If he DESPERATELY wants Talarico, he just has to make time available for Paxton https://t.co/R5MQv9vvAo
— Dan Schneider (@Schneider_DC) September 10, 2026
