FCC Commissioner Slams CBS for 'Capitulation' Over Axed Colbert Interview With Democratic Candidate

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Wrap

February 17, 2026 @ 10:20 AM


FCC commissioner Anna Gomez on Tuesday condemned CBS’ decision not to air Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” interview with a Democratic political candidate amid ongoing pressure from her own agency, calling it “yet another troubling example of corporate capitulation.”

Gomez, a Biden appointee who was confirmed to the five-person board in 2023, said in a written statement that CBS’ decision to self-censor was not necessary, and a direct result of the Trump administration’s attempt at intimidation.

“This is yet another troubling example of corporate capitulation in the face of this Administration’s broader campaign to censor and control speech,” Gomez wrote.

“The FCC has no lawful authority to pressure broadcasters for political purposes or to create a climate that chills free expression. CBS is fully protected under the First Amendment to determine what interviews it airs, which makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing.”

Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/fcc-commissioner-anna-gomez-cbs-pressure-colbert-interview-democrat-candidate/

---

Link to tweet

Anna M. Gomez
·
Feb 17, 2026
@AGomezFCC
·
Follow
CBS is fully protected under the First Amendment to determine what interviews it airs.

That makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing.

Corporate interests cannot justify retreating from airing newsworthy content.
Image
Anna M. Gomez
@AGomezFCC
·
Follow
The FCC is powerless to restrict protected speech, and any attempt to intimidate broadcasters into self-censorship undermines both press freedom and public trust.

I once again urge broadcasters and their parent companies to stand firm against these unlawful pressures.
11:59 AM · Feb 17, 2026

REFERENCES

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143617386
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143617704

[Exp]

1. Ooooh, cool. Biden FCC member exploiting, yet commemorizing the INCOMPETENCE of TSF's admininstration!

I LOVE it!

[wolfie001]

6. His career highlight was when he giggled 🤭 throughout the SNL skit.....

.....with Lindsey Lohan and "Denny Downer". Classic. He never takes risks on his Late-Night show. Forgettable pablum

[BidenRocks]

2. My preference?

Jimmy Fallon goes away.
The Tonight Show with Stephen Colbert shingle is placed on the Ed Sullivan Theatre.
Nothing else changes except NBC has better ratings and See BS tanks.

I was too old for Fallon when he was on SNL and never got the connection.
Since Fallon doesn't do much political humor, let him go to the chump channel.

Win, Win!

[Callie1979]

7. So you want to can Fallon just because he doesnt get political?

There ARE other things to talk about.

[Exp]

8. Agreed, Fallon is about as interesting as a used tissue. nt

[llmart]

3. They may want to learn how to spell "condemn".

[Skittles]

4. I misread that as CONDOMS

WTF

[OldBaldy1701E]

5. That misspelling had better be a mistake.

And, not a 'dig', as I am thinking that it is.

con-dems... very funny.

[Martin68]

9. Great that the FCC refutes CBS rationale for canceling interview with Democratic candidate.

Proves that it is just capitulation to Tump/MAHA pressure