Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast · WNYC Studios

The Colbert CBS Midterms Conflict

February 19, 2026·17 min·1 clip

Scott Nover reveals CBS settled a lawsuit with Donald Trump to get government approval for its $8 billion merger with Paramount.

Brian Lehrer and Washington Post reporter Scott Nover dissect why CBS lawyers blocked Stephen Colbert from airing an interview with Texas Democratic candidate James Tallarico, citing an archaic FCC equal time rule. They explore how this incident connects to CBS's recent $8 billion merger, appeasement of the Trump administration, and whether the censorship attempt backfired by generating millions of online views.

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