Stephen Colbert used his CBS program Monday night to criticize his own network after it declined to air a scheduled interview with Texas state Rep. James Talarico, citing federal “equal time” requirements that apply to political candidates.

CBS informed Colbert that broadcasting the interview could trigger obligations under longstanding Federal Communications Commission regulations requiring comparable access for other candidates in the same race. The “equal time” provision, part of federal communications law since the 1930s, is intended to ensure fairness in election coverage by broadcast license holders.

Despite the network’s guidance, Colbert addressed the matter on air, expressing frustration with the rule and questioning its application to a late-night talk show format. He referenced exceptions for certain news programming and suggested the policy was being applied too broadly.

Colbert also directed criticism at FCC Chair Brendan Carr, alleging partisan motivations, and suggested the decision reflected broader political pressures. The comments appeared to link the situation to the Trump administration, though CBS has not indicated any political directive behind its handling of the segment.

Talarico, a Democrat who is running for higher office, characterized the decision as a form of “cancel culture.” However, CBS has maintained that its broader programming decisions, including the planned end of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May, are financial in nature. The network previously stated the show was losing approximately $40 million annually and said the cancellation was unrelated to political content.