Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., has publicly criticized major broadcast networks, including ABC and CBS, for what he described as self-censorship after late-night host Jimmy Kimmel announced he would move an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico from television to YouTube.

Kimmel stated on Wednesday that he decided to release the interview on YouTube due to perceived threats from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the Trump administration. He expressed concern that the FCC might target his show, ABC, its affiliates, and local stations based on guest bookings. "Out of consideration for our local stations, especially our ABC affiliates in Texas who have to deal with this nonsense, my interview tomorrow with James Talarico will not air on television," Kimmel said. "It will be posted on YouTube instead."

In response to Kimmel's announcement, Lieu posted on X (formerly Twitter) that networks should have the courage to air such interviews, suggesting they would prevail in any legal challenges. "Grow a f---ing spine," Lieu wrote in one of the now-deleted posts. "Air whatever interviews with elected officials you want. You will win in court. Bending the knee to an authoritarian Administration only makes things worse."

Lieu also drew a parallel to Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, suggesting that networks should offer him opportunities for interviews where he could be questioned about his scandals. "You know what else you can do @ABC and @CBS? Offer Ken Paxton the opportunity to come onto late night talk shows where the hosts can legitimately skewer Paxton by asking him about all his scandals. But instead you groveled and chose the path of self-censorship. Shameful," he posted.

This situation echoes a similar instance in February when former late-night host Stephen Colbert's interview with Talarico ahead of the Texas Senate primary was also only released on YouTube. At the time, Colbert stated that CBS had prevented the interview from airing on television. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr later clarified to Fox News that such interviews could potentially violate the equal-time rule, which mandates that broadcast stations offer equivalent opportunities to opposing political candidates during election seasons.

Curtis Houck, managing editor at NewsBusters, suggested that Kimmel's decision to move the interview to YouTube might lead to negative consequences, arguing it circumvents the equal-time rule and highlights a perceived partisan bias among late-night hosts.

Fox News Digital reached out to ABC, CBS, the FCC, and the campaigns of Talarico and Paxton for comment, but did not immediately receive responses.