The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reportedly opened an investigation into ABC’s “The View” over a potential violation of equal time rules for political candidates.
The probe stems from Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s appearance on the daytime talk show Monday, according to Fox News Digital. Talarico was one of the first political candidates to appear on the program after the FCC announced last month it would enforce the “statutory equal opportunities requirement” for late-night and daytime talk shows.
Disney, ABC’s parent company, did not file equal-time paperwork with the FCC for Talarico’s appearance, Fox News Digital reported. The lack of filing suggests Disney considers “The View” a bona fide news program exempt from the requirement. (RELATED: Woman Who Actually Supports Trump Will Guest Host ‘The View’)
“Fake news is not getting a free pass anymore,” an FCC source told Fox News Digital. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr defended the enforcement push. “On my watch, we’re going to enforce this regulation,” Carr told the outlet.
Under the rule, all candidates legally filed for a race must receive comparable airtime regardless of party affiliation. ABC would need to offer comparable airtime to Republican Sen. John Cornyn and lesser-known Democratic primary candidate Ahmad Hassan.
NewsBusters analyzed the airtime and found Talarico received roughly 9 minutes and 47 seconds in one segment. His primary rival, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, received over 17 minutes across three segments during her January appearance. The conservative media watchdog also reported that through mid-2025, “The View” hosted 128 liberal guests compared to just two conservatives for political discussions.
During Talarico’s appearance, co-host Whoopi Goldberg praised both Democratic candidates. “So you guys, you and Jasmine, you are in it. And I think regardless of who wins this particular way — race, Texas will be better for it,” she said.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat on the commission, pushed back on the report Friday evening. She called it an intimidation tactic rather than a legitimate enforcement matter, according to The Desk.
“The real purpose is to weaponize the FCC’s regulatory authority to intimidate perceived critics of this Administration and chill protected speech,” Gomez said. “That is not how a free society operates.”
The Daily Caller has reached out to FCC for comment.