‘Disregard for equal time rules’: FCC launches enforcement action against leftist show ‘The View’
The television entertainers who make up the regular cast of “The View” on ABC, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg, unabashedly are far left.
Seldom will a guest even mention the name Donald Trump in a positive manner.
Their diatribes and rants against the president, his administration, conservatives in general and Make America Great Again ideas fill the airwaves.
Yet the show claims it is a legitimate news program and therefore exempt from the Federal Communications Commission’s rule that requires equal time for opposing views on political issues.
That, now, according to the FCC, is under investigation.
According to a report, FCC chief Brendan Carr “stands by his decision to open an enforcement inquiry into The View for refusing to follow the Equal Time Rule: ‘They have NOT made the case that they are a bona fide news program and we’re actively looking at that.'”
.@BrendanCarrFCC stands by his decision to open an enforcement inquiry into The View for refusing to follow the Equal Time Rule: “They have NOT made the case that they are a bona fide news program and we’re actively looking at that.” pic.twitter.com/Wg9h8xlWIx
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) February 19, 2026
The fracas erupted when the canceled-but-still-broadcasting talk entertainer Stephen Colbert publicly complained that the fairness rule prohibited him from promoting a Democrat political candidate from Texas on his show.
Actually the rule didn’t prohibit him from having the politician on, it just would require that he provide equal time to the other side.
Anyway, that angry eruption by Colbert triggered the fight that now has encompassed other programming, which the FCC recently confirmed would be required to follow the equal time requirement.
A report at USA Today said Carr confirmed the review plans came after the dispute involving Colbert’s insistence on promoting James Talarico, a Democrat candidate in Texas.
“The FCC in January issued guidance saying daytime and late-night television talk shows do not have a blanket exemption from laws requiring stations to offer equal broadcast opportunities to political candidates.”
Online comments included the observation that, “The FCC is right to crack down on The View’s blatant disregard for equal time rules. For years, establishment media outlets have weaponized talk shows as partisan platforms while hiding behind ‘news program’ exemptions. The View’s hosts routinely platform Democratic candidates like Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico without offering equal access to their opponents—a clear violation of the Communications Act’s intent. If ABC wants to claim bona fide news status, it shouldn’t function as a DNC infomercial.”
#TheView hosts wear statement sweaters amid FCC investigation https://t.co/NZ2titNbXS
— TV Insider (@TVInsider) February 19, 2026
“HOAX FOR CLICKS — AND THE MEDIA ATE IT UP”@BrendanCarrFCC: “If you’re going to have one on, you need to make sure there’s equal airtime for all others.”
“This was the plan. He knew the legacy media would run with it — and they ate it up.”
“When the facts came out and… pic.twitter.com/9DpljDZjeW
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) February 19, 2026
FCC Chair Brendan Carr: “CBS was clear that Colbert could run the interview… perhaps Colbert and other Democrats want to put their thumb on the scale… we’re gonna enforce the law and hold broadcasters accountable”pic.twitter.com/GUixOVEDda
— Defiant L’s (@DefiantLs) February 19, 2026
Entertainers on the ABC program promptly thumbed their noses at the federal government, wearing shirts with political statements.
Carr said, “If you are bona fide news, you don’t have to give candidates equal air time. But Disney and The View have not established that that program is, in fact, bona fide news. We’ve started enforcement proceedings, taking a look at that. And, again, we’re going to hold broadcasters accountable.”
FCC Chair Brendan Carr with Laura Ingraham:
Ingraham: “You’re actually fighting for the right of Jasmine Crockett to be heard on CBS?”
Carr: “Yes.”
Ingraham: “You don’t look like an authoritarian to me.” pic.twitter.com/UgdFAiynk2
— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) February 19, 2026
Brendan Carr Confirms FCC Has Started ‘Enforcement Proceedings’ Against ‘The View’ (Source: TV Insider)
: https://t.co/KXYFKjpC7M pic.twitter.com/ymAVJ3Eyon
— AOL.com (@AOL) February 19, 2026
FCC chair Brendan Carr says the agency is looking into ‘enforcement action’ against ‘The View’ over James Talarico’s recent appearance on the talk show. https://t.co/8AtX1CM6P1
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) February 19, 2026