The View Curbs Midterm Candidate Bookings as FCC Probes 1930s Equal-Time Rule
Updated
Updated · Semafor · Jul 6
The View Curbs Midterm Candidate Bookings as FCC Probes 1930s Equal-Time Rule
2 articles · Updated · Semafor · Jul 6
Summary
No candidate in a competitive 2026 midterm race has appeared on ABC’s The View since FCC Chairman Brendan Carr opened an equal-time inquiry in February, according to a Semafor analysis.
The probe has already altered booking decisions without a formal FCC order: the show has recently turned away some invited candidates and told sources it was proceeding cautiously while the investigation continues.
ABC has argued The View is a bona fide news program exempt from the rule, yet the show’s shift marks a break from its long role as a regular campaign stop for figures from Donald Trump to Kamala Harris.
The caution extends beyond ABC, with the report saying Carr’s equal-time pressure has influenced candidate appearances on other broadcast talk shows and fueled broader fears of editorial self-censorship.
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez called the campaign an effort to alter broadcaster behavior, while Democrats warn reduced daytime exposure could hurt midterm candidates and some Republicans fear the tactic could later hit conservative media.
Will political interviews soon disappear from popular daytime and late-night talk shows due to new broadcast rules?
Is a 90-year-old media law a fair rule for today's television or a tool to control programming content?
Equal Time Rule in 2026: FCC’s Investigation of "The View," Political Guest Censorship, and the Battle for Broadcast Freedom
Overview
In February 2026, President Donald Trump prompted the FCC to investigate *The View*, focusing on the 'equal time rule' that requires broadcast programs to give comparable airtime to political candidates. This move sparked immediate criticism, with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez calling it government intimidation and doubting any real outcome. Historically, the FCC allowed entertainment shows to interview candidates without triggering equal time obligations, but this broad exemption was now under scrutiny. The investigation marked a shift in how political coverage is handled, raising concerns about government overreach and its impact on media freedom and political discourse.