Podcast Summary: The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Episode: Rep. Crockett speaks out on CBS Colbert controversy with her opponent
Date: February 18, 2026
Host: Jen Psaki
Featured Guests: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Stephen Colbert (audio clip), Terry Moran, Elora Mukherjee

Main Theme and Purpose

This episode dives into the controversial decision by CBS to pull a scheduled interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, sparking debates over media censorship and the application of the FCC’s equal time rule under Trump’s administration. Jen Psaki speaks at length with Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who is running in the same hotly contested Texas primary, about CBS’s claim that their decision was motivated by the need to offer her “equal time.” The episode weaves in broader coverage of the Trump administration’s escalating attacks on journalists and critics, the ongoing deposition of Les Wexner in the Epstein files, and harrowing stories of families detained under current immigration policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context: Censorship and the Colbert/Talarico Controversy

• Background: James Talarico’s scheduled appearance on Colbert pulled by CBS, citing legal advice related to the FCC’s equal time rule newly applied to late-night talk shows (06:04).
• Colbert’s On-Air Response: Colbert publicly called out the network, explaining that not only was Talarico barred, but he was also told not to mention it (06:04).
• CBS’s Statement: Claimed the show was “provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett...” (06:38).

2. Trump-era FCC and Media Intimidation (06:38 – 10:45)

• New FCC Policy: Trump’s FCC chair, Brendan Carr, ended a long-standing exemption for talk and comedy shows from equal time rules, creating chilling effects on booking political candidates (06:38).
• Pattern of Targeting: Carr’s investigation into The View, past mob-like intimidation of Jimmy Kimmel, and a broader campaign to control political discourse on TV.
• Media Ownership: Discussion of CBS’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, led by the Ellisons, currying favor with Trump, and allegedly interfering with both network programming and talent decisions.
• Irony Noted: Instead of silencing Talarico, Colbert posts the interview online, which quickly goes viral (10:45).

Notable Quote

• Stephen Colbert, on being censored (06:04):

  “I was told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers…that we could not have [Talarico] on the broadcast. Then…I could not mention me not having him on…Let’s talk about this.”

3. Trump’s Attempts to Silence Critics Backfiring (11:57)

• Rising Prominence for Critics: Attempts to silence journalists like Georgia Ford and politicians like Sen. Mark Kelly have instead increased their influence, profile, and fundraising.
• Texas Senate Race Dynamics: Both Talarico and Crockett polling within the margin of error against likely GOP rivals, with Trump notably staying silent on a primary endorsement.

Notable Moment

• Colbert’s satirical take on Trump’s silence in Texas GOP primary (12:38):

  “I just haven’t made a decision on that race yet…Those are the toughest races.”

4. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett Responds (14:02 – 19:19)

CBS’s Equal Time Rationale (15:00 – 16:03)

• Crockett’s View:

  “I did not get a request from the Colbert show to go on…If we would have gotten an offer, that would have been great…but I got that phone call as I was out talking to voters.”
  (Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, 15:00)

• Denies Objection: Neither she nor her campaign objected or complained about Talarico’s appearance.

Broader Resistance & the Political Moment (16:03 – 17:15)

• Crockett on Resistance and Backfire:

  “When we resist and…they’re trying to bend the knee to this president, it backfires in historic fashion.” (16:03)

Trump’s Fear in Texas (17:40)

• Crockett on Trump’s strategy:

  “A lot of people are like, ‘there’s no way Texas can do this.’...We are exploding with participation right now…his chief of staff does not like Ken Paxton. So there’s that…there was a poll that dropped today that had me ahead of all three of them.” (17:40)

Who Is Jasmine Crockett? (19:19)

• Her Background: Started in rural East Texas, served on Agriculture Committee, uniquely positioned with both rural and urban experience; focused on healthcare, affordability, immigration, and fighting Trump’s administration.
• Personal Story: Shares how fear of ICE affects even citizens, recounting an emotional encounter with a Latina woman in her district (19:19).

5. House Oversight and the Epstein Files (23:38 – 28:27)

Upcoming Wexner Deposition (25:07)

• Crockett's Perspective:

  “I know that I have directly been told different stories that have me believing that he has engaged in some activity as it relates to young girls…We’ll see how he answers some of this.”
  (Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, 25:07)

• Anticipation about Fifth Amendment Plea: Planning to preserve the record if Wexner pleads the Fifth, drawing on her experience as a litigator (26:31).

6. Media Trends and Authoritarian Influence (32:09 – 36:49)

Terry Moran on the Big Picture

• How Censorship Operates:

  “It doesn’t work with knock-on-the-door censorship. It works with pressure and uncertainty. For big corporations…uncertainty means danger…”
  (Terry Moran, 32:09)

• About the equal time rule: The exemption for entertainment programming was revoked, creating headaches and pre-compliance behavior from broadcasters.
• CBS Journalistic Exodus: Talents like Anderson Cooper leaving due to politics-over-journalism priorities.
• Rubio and Orban: Rubio praising Orban’s media control marks a profound shift (“un-American”)—Trump learning from Orban’s example.

7. Immigration Detention and Human Rights (38:54 – 43:45)

The Dilley Detention Center

• Harrowing Stories: Children and families face inadequate medical care, unsanitary food, and extended detentions, sometimes up to 140 days for children as young as four.
• Elora Mukherjee’s Advocacy:

  “Many of these children…have been detained for…about seven times the lawful limit. The 12 year old Camilla just celebrated her 12 year old birthday in prison last Thursday. She has done nothing wrong and does not belong in prison at Dilley.”
  (Elora Mukherjee, 41:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Trump’s Censorship Backfiring:
  Jen Psaki (14:02):

  “Every time Trump tries to silence his opponents, he just ends up elevating their voices…”

• On CBS’s Actions:
  Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (15:00):

  “They actually told CBS that they could go ahead and move forward with the interview of James Talarico. They just needed to offer me equal time. I didn’t get a request from the Colbert show to go on.”

• On Wanting Texans to Know Her:
  Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (19:19):

  “I actually started my political and legal career in rural East Texas…I understand the challenges that are facing all Texans, whether you’re talking about our farmers…or that mother…wondering…if she’ll have enough money for health care and food.”

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:51: Jen Psaki introduces episode themes; Colbert controversy, journalist intimidation, Jasmine Crockett interview
• 03:19: Crockett and Psaki discuss pattern of attacks on the press
• 06:04: Colbert clip—CBS prevents Talarico interview, Colbert exposes the censorship
• 06:38: Psaki explains new FCC rules, CBS/Paramount context, media chilling effect
• 10:45: Colbert posts Talarico’s banned interview online; viral response
• 11:57: Trump’s censorship backfires highlighted (journalist and candidate examples)
• 13:49: Crockett—“You’re spending more taxpayer resources arresting journalists than…prosecuting pedophiles.”
• 14:02: Crockett on introducing bill to rein in Trump’s FCC
• 15:00: Crockett responds to CBS and the equal time controversy
• 17:40: Crockett on Trump’s fear and Texas GOP race dynamics
• 19:19: Crockett shares her political background and emotional immigration story
• 23:38: Psaki previews Les Wexner’s deposition in Epstein investigation
• 25:07: Crockett on Wexner’s ties to Epstein and expectations for the deposition
• 26:47: Plan if Wexner pleads the Fifth
• 32:09: Terry Moran on how censorship works in today’s corporate media landscape
• 33:55: Staff resignations and journalistic integrity at CBS
• 35:15: Rubio and Orban, American media and authoritarian lessons
• 38:54: Psaki on harrowing immigrant child detention stories at Dilley Detention Center
• 39:50: Elora Mukherjee on legal and human impact for detainee children and families

Overall Tone

Jen Psaki leads the episode with a sharp, urgent, and often wry tone, emphasizing the dangers of political overreach into media and the importance of journalistic resistance. Crockett is assertive, plainspoken, and passionate, with a mix of humor and righteous anger. Clips from Colbert inject satire and directness. Terry Moran offers historical and contextual clarity, and Mukherjee communicates advocacy and empathy.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode uses national news, personal political perspectives, and ground-level advocacy stories to illustrate the real-world consequences of government censorship, corporate compliance, and attacks on civil liberties—both in media and on vulnerable communities. Expect up-to-the-minute campaign drama, behind-the-scenes media maneuvering, candid interviews, and reminders of what’s at stake for democracy, journalism, and justice in America.