Texas State Rep. James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, said Republicans in the Texas Legislature promote cultural controversies to divert attention from economic and policy decisions that he argues benefit wealthy donors at the expense of public services.
Talarico made the remarks during an online interview with Stephen Colbert, released this week on YouTube after it was not broadcast on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The segment has since drawn millions of views and renewed attention to Talarico’s campaign ahead of early voting in Texas’s Democratic Senate primary.
In the interview, Colbert asked Talarico about what he described as “strange days” in the Texas House of Representatives, including a legislative proposal addressing claims that students were identifying as animals and being provided litter boxes in schools. Talarico said the proposal was based on an internet hoax.
“They want us talking about furries and bathrooms so we don’t realize that they are picking our pockets, that they are closing our schools, they are gutting our health care, and they are raising taxes on all of us while they cut taxes for their billionaire donors,” Talarico said. “The culture wars are a smoke screen because the real fight in this country is not left versus right, it’s top versus bottom.”
James Talarico: “They want us talking
— AmeriClips (@americlips) February 19, 2026
about furries and bathrooms so we don't realize that they are picking our pockets…”
Credit: The Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert pic.twitter.com/leh9JYwuXo
The interview was released online after Colbert said network lawyers advised against airing it on television, citing concerns related to the Federal Communications Commission’s “equal time” rule for political candidates. CBS denied that the interview was barred and said the decision was made after legal guidance.
The FCC chairman, Brendon Carr rejected claims that the interview was censored and said CBS was free to air the segment. He said the network was only advised that it could be subject to the FCC’s “equal time” rule if it broadcast an interview with one candidate without offering comparable airtime to others in the race.
“CBS was very clear that Colbert could run the interview that he wanted with that political candidate,” Carr said in a Fox News interview. “They just said, ‘You may have to comply with equal time,’ which would have meant potentially giving airtime to Jasmine Crockett and another candidate.”
Carr said the rule is intended to prevent broadcasters from favoring one candidate over another and said the FCC would enforce it if necessary. He disputed suggestions that the agency was targeting the network for political reasons, describing the dispute as a political campaign seeking attention and media coverage.
“We’re going to enforce the law and hold broadcasters accountable,” Carr said, adding that the equal time rule exists to ensure that “the American people can decide” elections without media outlets “picking winners and losers.”
Carr: They very clear that Colbert could run the interview that he wanted—they just said you may have to comply with equal time.. And the news media ran with it like lemmings.
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 19, 2026
Ingraham: Would you have gone after them for violating the equal time rule?
Carr: They have to comply… pic.twitter.com/wkvbFxcrwE
Since the interview’s release, Talarico’s campaign has reported a surge in fundraising and online interest. According to campaign statements, the campaign raised millions of dollars in the days following.
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
Talarico is competing for the Democratic nomination against Rep. Jasmine Crockett in a closely watched primary. Recent polling has shown fluctuating leads between the two candidates, with several surveys placing them within the margin of error.
Talarico, a former middle school teacher and seminary student, has centered his campaign on opposition to Christian nationalism, defense of the separation of church and state, and criticism of corporate influence in politics. Crockett, a former civil rights attorney, has focused her campaign on confrontational oversight of former President Donald Trump and Republican leadership.
Texas has not elected a Democratic U.S. senator since 1988, though party officials and strategists have drawn comparisons between the current cycle and the state’s closely contested 2018 Senate race.
Early voting in the Democratic primary began this week, with a runoff possible if no candidate secures a majority.
