Right-wing commentator Benny Johnson said Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett was being sidelined by liberal media figures after controversy surrounding a late-night television interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico.
Johnson made the comments while appearing on Rob Schmitt Tonight, where he criticized comedian Stephen Colbert and the network that broadcasts his show, accusing them of influencing the Democratic primary race in Texas.
“If Jasmine Crockett isn’t useful to the revolution, she’s finding out right now that she will be thrown directly into the trash,” Johnson said during the segment.
I’m calling on the FEC to immediately investigate Stephen Colbert over his James Talarico interview hoax
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 19, 2026
CBS admitted he lied — it was a stunt to boost fundraising numbers
There was no censorship
Colbert used broadcast airwaves for election interference
Hold him accountable pic.twitter.com/txpPejXGbM
The remarks followed a dispute involving Colbert’s “Late Show” and Talarico, a Democratic candidate in a competitive primary against Crockett. Colbert said during a recent broadcast that CBS executives had advised him not to air an interview with Talarico because of concerns related to federal broadcast rules. CBS later denied blocking the interview, saying the show decided not to air it after receiving legal guidance.
Colbert ultimately released the interview on YouTube, where it drew millions of views. Talarico’s campaign reported a surge in fundraising following the release.
BREAKING: Our campaign raised $2.5 million in 24 hours after the FCC banned our Colbert interview. pic.twitter.com/g6v4gzGAhS
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) February 18, 2026
Johnson alleged that Colbert and his staff were working to boost Talarico’s campaign while undermining Crockett. “They’re sabotaging Jasmine Crockett in doing so,” Johnson said, accusing Colbert of political manipulation.
Johnson also called for an investigation by the Federal Election Commission, claiming the late-night segment amounted to coordinated political activity. He said Colbert’s actions should be reviewed for potential election-related violations.
“I’m calling for an FEC investigation,” Johnson said. “The Federal Election Commission should really look into how Stephen Colbert manipulated and hoaxed James Talarico into the number one fundraising position in Texas right now.”
The controversy centers on whether Colbert’s show faced pressure from the Federal Communications Commissionregarding the “equal time” rule, which requires broadcast outlets to provide comparable airtime to opposing candidates in certain circumstances. Late-night comedy programs are generally exempt from that requirement.
Crockett said she was still waiting for a full explanation from the network and its parent company before issuing a formal statement, according to an interview published by The Hill.
“I do think that there are additional layers at play here,” Crockett said. “Before we put out our formal statement, I do want to make sure that Paramount, who is the parent company, puts out theirs and we have exactly what happened.”
She said the controversy appeared to escalate before the facts were clear and noted the timing of the episode.
“That kind of mania just so happened to play out on the very first day of early voting, which feels kind of comedic,” Crockett said.
Jasmine Crockett responds to controversy over James Talarico's blocked Colbert interview, saying the federal government did NOT shut it down and that more facts are needed before she issues a formal statement.
— AmeriClips (@americlips) February 20, 2026
“I do think that there are additional layers at play here.” pic.twitter.com/Ky4IialPlf
Crockett also said it was her understanding that the Federal Communications Commission did not order the segment to be pulled and that the decision was made internally out of concern about possible regulatory scrutiny. She said she planned to wait for statements from the broadcaster and its parent company before responding further.
Crockett reiterated that she did not believe the Federal Communications Commission directly ordered the segment to be pulled, and suggested the decision was instead driven by internal concerns at the network over possible regulatory scrutiny. She said further clarification would depend on statements from the broadcaster and its corporate leadership.
FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez released a statement on the matter, saying “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.”
CBS is fully protected under the First Amendment to determine what interviews it airs.
— Anna M. Gomez (@AGomezFCC) February 17, 2026
That makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing.
Corporate interests cannot justify retreating from airing newsworthy content. pic.twitter.com/RiTxAMCXy1
Johnson argued that Crockett’s treatment demonstrated what he described as the ruthlessness of political movements. “When you live out your usefulness to these people, you’re done,” he said during the broadcast.
