Former NBA star and TV personality Stephen A. Smith is practically everywhere in 2025. From the peripheries to the games and American TV, Smith’s swaggering talks have made him a superstar at ESPN, a 2026-model Howard Cosell with a multi-million dollar media empire.
When he’s not giving his customary sports reportage and commentary, Smith is sharing rare political views on national issues. The latter side of Smith, the lesser-known part of the retired NBA star, is back in view amid the FCC clampdown on late-night shows.
Stephen A. Smith Speaks on FCC Clampdown on Late-Night Comedy Shows
Stephen A. Smith Slams Donald Trump's Heartless Response to Reiner Family Murders (Image via Fox Sports)
Stephen A. Smith Slams Donald Trump’s Heartless Response to Reiner Family Murders (Image via Fox Sports)
Brendan Carr, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States, has confirmed that the organization is investigating ABC’s daytime talk show The View over a recent appearance by a politician. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Carr explained that the probe would examine whether the shoe violated a new interpretation of the “equal time” rule under the current administration.
The segment in question features Democrat James Talarico, who’s vying to represent Texas in the US Senate. This investigation follows late-night show host Stephen Colbert’s accusation that the FFF censored an interview between him and Talarico.
The “equal time” is part of section 315 of the 1934 Communications Act. Under that law, if a broadcaster allows one candidate for public office to use its facilities, it is required to “afford equal opportunities” to all other candidates in the same race. However, “bona fide newscasts” and “bona fide news interviews” are exempted from the law. For nearly two decades, talk shows and late-night comedy shows were included in that category.
That was the norm until January 2026, when the FCC issued new guidance that narrows the interpretation of “bona fide news”. The new interpretation classifies daytime talk shows and late-night comedy as “entertainment programs” that fall outside the exception.
Yet, American presenter and comedian Stephen Colbert thinks that Donald Trump’s administration has re-interpreted the law to clamp down on his political foes. His comments have fueled controversial discussions across the country about the FCC and the Trump administration’s activities.
For Stephen A Smith, however, the new interpretation is justifiable. Smith calls out modern comedians for a left-wing bias. Accordingto Smith, many comedians exclusively “go after” Trump, while sparing Democrats from their comedic monologues.
In his words,
“This is my issue: These are brilliant late-night hosts who are comedic geniuses. Why not go after everybody?”
“You’ve got to hit everybody when you’re a comedian. Nobody is supposed to be safe. No one is supposed to be spared…”
“Had they spared no one — Trump and his influence over the FCC clearly exist — none of that would have been enough for them to invoke their wishes the way that they’ve tried.”
Stephen A. Smith drops a reality bomb on late-night hosts: You brought Trump’s FCC on YOURSELVES.
“This is my issue: These are brilliant late-night hosts who are comedic geniuses. Why not go after everybody?”
"You've got to hit everybody when you’re a comedian. Nobody is… pic.twitter.com/lVxum2Rxl5
— Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) February 20, 2026
While the FCC continues to face criticism for its actions, it maintains that late-night shows like Colbert’s should trigger the equal-time rule during political interviews. For many Americans like Smith, the situation represents a new normal – one that could redefine American entertainment under President Trump.