Colbert Says CBS Barred Interview With Democrat, and Search Teams Scramble After Lake Tahoe Avalanche

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Headlines – February 18, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode provides a quick, incisive rundown of today’s most pressing stories, focusing on election law battles in Washington, late-night television censorship and FCC crackdowns, the Lake Tahoe avalanche rescue efforts, and rising concerns over AI-generated videos in Hollywood.

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Main Discussion Points

1. Republican Push for Stricter Voting Laws and the Political Fallout

• Voter Restriction Bills Intensify (00:42 – 02:40):

  • House Republicans are driving momentum behind two bills:
    • “Save America Act” requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote
    • “Make Elections Great Again Act” to ban universal mail voting, prohibit counting ballots after Election Day, and allow DHS more access to voter info
  • Republicans assert this is to secure elections and prevent fraud:
    • Quote (00:42):
      • Republican Lawmaker: “If you want to vote in American elections, all you got to do is prove that you’re an American, period.”
  • Democrats decry the moves as voter suppression, particularly targeting vulnerable groups:
    • Minority Leader Chuck Schumer pledges a Senate blockade, arguing the laws disenfranchise low-income citizens and minorities.
    • Quote (02:27):
      • Democratic Lawmaker: “If you’re one of tens of millions of Americans who does not have access to your birth certificate, or if you’re one of the 50% who don’t have a passport, the Save act could make it impossible for you to participate in elections.”

• The Broader GOP Election Focus (02:40):

  • Referenced Trump’s calls for federal control over local elections.
  • Seen as groundwork for contesting fall midterm defeats.

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2. Washington Updates: Immigration, Defense Strikes, State of the Union Boycott

• Pentagon Boat Strikes (02:40 – 03:39):
  • U.S. military blows up three suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing 11—deadliest day of strikes this year.
  • Over 140 killed since September; legality questioned since the targets are civilians.
• Immigration Policy Impasse and DHS Shutdown (03:39 – 04:45):
  • Democrats’ demands to limit ICE actions (e.g., no arrests in schools, churches, hospitals) rejected by White House.
  • Republicans’ counter-offer called “unserious.” Partial DHS shutdown continues.
  • Federal workers risk missing paychecks.
• Democratic Boycott of State of the Union (04:45 – 05:27):
  • Some lawmakers to skip Trump’s address, holding a counter-rally “The People’s State of the Union.”
  • Quote (05:08):
    • Democratic Lawmaker: “These aren’t normal times and we have to stop doing normal things.”

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3. FCC Crackdown Prompts CBS Censorship of Colbert Interview

• Late-Night TV Censorship Scandal (05:27 – 07:50):
  • Stephen Colbert reveals CBS blocked an interview with Texas State Rep. James Talarico, citing new FCC guidance (regarding political candidate airtime).
    • Quote (05:27):
      • Stephen Colbert: “We were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers…that we could not have him on the broadcast.”
  • The FCC now requires entertainment talk shows to offer equal time to all candidates—including late-night and daytime shows like The View.
  • Colbert criticizes CBS’s compliance but posts the interview on YouTube instead.
    • CBS disputes outright censorship, claiming they “provided legal guidance.”
  • The FCC’s crackdown is perceived as targeting Trump critics (Colbert, Kimmel, Meyers, The View).
    • Investigation into The View over a similar interview already underway.
  • Colbert’s show set to end in May—public reports cite financial reasons, though speculation abounds about political motives.

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4. Lake Tahoe Avalanche: Search and Rescue Under Dire Conditions

• Ongoing Rescue Efforts (07:55 – 08:58):
  • Nine skiers, including guides, missing after an avalanche in the Sierras.
  • Six survivors found via emergency beacons; rescue operations hampered by whiteout conditions and storms.
  • Local highways closed, helicopters grounded.
  • If the missing aren’t found alive, this ranks among the deadliest U.S. avalanches in decades.

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5. Hollywood Alarm: AI Video Fakes Go Viral

• AI-Generated Deepfake Clips Cause Uproar (08:58 – 11:10):
  • Viral 15-second clip of “Tom Cruise vs Brad Pitt” brawling—created using ByteDance’s Seed Dance AI tool, not real actors.
  • Created with a two-sentence prompt by an Irish director; sparks anxiety about AI-driven job losses in entertainment.
  • Concerns raised over authenticity, copyright, and forthcoming union contracts.
  • Quote, Tech Industry Reaction (11:10):
    • Kevin Roose: “This feels different to me and I think to a lot of other people…this is what people think is going to take AI from just kind of being a fancier Google to something that genuinely changes how people work.”
  • Some Hollywood professionals unimpressed, calling the content “garbage” and not artistically meaningful.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Voter ID:

  • “If you want to vote in American elections, all you got to do is prove that you’re an American, period.” – Republican Lawmaker (00:42)
  • “If you’re one of tens of millions of Americans who does not have access to your birth certificate...the Save act could make it impossible for you to participate in elections.” – Democratic Lawmaker (02:27)

• On Colbert’s Censored Interview:

  • “We were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers…that we could not have him on the broadcast.” – Stephen Colbert (05:27)
  • “My network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this. Let’s talk about this.” – Stephen Colbert (05:54)

• On AI Video Threat:

  • “This feels different…this is what people think is going to take AI from just kind of being a fancier Google to something that genuinely changes how people work.” – Kevin Roose (11:10)

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Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|------------| | Voter restriction bills debate | 00:42–02:40| | Pentagon strikes & DHS shutdown | 02:40–04:45| | State of the Union boycott | 04:45–05:27| | Colbert/CBS censorship & FCC crackdown | 05:27–07:50| | Lake Tahoe avalanche search | 07:55–08:58| | AI video panic in Hollywood | 08:58–11:10| | Kevin Roose on AI tools (preview) | 11:10–11:27|

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Summary Flow

This episode delivers a rapid but comprehensive scan of the news, centering on the sharpest flashpoints in American politics—voter suppression and its fallout, censorship and equal time rules on TV, public safety disasters, and technological disruption in the arts. The tone remains brisk and unsparing, blending direct quotes from lawmakers, TV hosts, and industry insiders to capture both the facts and the anxieties animating this day’s headlines.

Transcript

[American Petroleum Institute Narrator]

This podcast is supported by the American Petroleum Institute. Energy is all around today. America's natural gas and oil keeps the country moving, growing and building and makes every day a little easier. But energy demand is growing, and the infrastructure built today will help secure a more affordable, reliable future with enough energy to go around. When America builds, the America Wins.

[Tracy Mumford]

From the New York Times, it's the headlines. I'm Tracy Mumford. Today's Wednesday, February 18th. Here's what we're covering.

[Republican Lawmaker]

The Save America act is not complicated. It's really not. It's not radical. It's crystal clear. If you want to vote in American elections, all you got to do is prove that you're an American, period.

[Tracy Mumford]

In Washington, the Times is covering an intensifying effort by Republican lawmakers to push for new voting restrictions. And the only people that oppose it are people who want to cheat our system, who want to participate in our elections illegally, unlawfully. Just last week, the House passed the Save America act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote. And now House Republicans are trying to build momentum around another bill some of them are calling the Save America act, but on steroids. Known as the Make Elections Great Again act, this bill would ban universal voting by mail and prohibit counting ballots received after Election Day. Among other provisions, it would also give more authority to the Department of Homeland Security to get information about voters from states. The parallel efforts come as Republicans are bracing for potentially significant losses in the midterms this fall, and raising concerns about election security could lay the groundwork for them to contest any races they lose. But the bills will face a steep uphill battle in the Senate.

[Democratic Lawmaker]

This is just an outrageous piece of legislation. It's turning the clock back 100 years.

[Tracy Mumford]

Where minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other Democrats have vowed to oppose the legislation. They say Republicans are trying to reshape the electorate in their favor, and they're warning that the laws could disenfranchise low income Americans, people of color and other blocs, some of which are big parts of the Democratic base.

[Democratic Lawmaker]

If you're one of tens of millions of Americans who does not have access to your birth certificate, or if you're One of the 50% of Americans who don't have a passport, the Save act could make it impossible for you to participate in elections.

[Tracy Mumford]

The Democrats say they see the Republican efforts in Congress as part of the GOP's larger, relentless focus on voting. That includes President Trump's recent calls to have the federal government take control over local elections. Now, three other quick updates from Washington, the Pentagon announced yesterday that it blew up three more alleged drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific, killing 11 people. It was the deadliest day of boat strikes this year. The US military has killed more than 140 people since the attacks began in September. Experts on the use of force have called the strikes illegal since the military cannot target civilians who don't pose a threat, even if they're breaking the law. But the Pentagon has kept up the attacks, blowing up boats every three to four days in the last month.

[Democratic Lawmaker]

Also, we need change that is dramatic, that is bold, that is meaningful, and that is transformational.

[Tracy Mumford]

Democrats latest demands to rein in federal immigration agents were rejected by the White House yesterday. Without a deal. They say they still will not agree to fund the Department of Homeland Security. DHS has been in a partial shutdown since Saturday. Republicans made a counteroffer at one point, the details of which aren't public, but Democrats dismissed it, calling it unserious. They say they will continue to hold out for things like restrictions on random sweeps by immigration agents and a ban on arrests in locations like schools, churches, and hospitals. For the moment, while the debate on Capitol Hill continues, most DHS workers like TSA agents and ICE officers have remained on the job, though they may miss paychecks the longer the shutdown drags on. And a number of Democratic lawmakers say they will be boycotting President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday. Instead, they're putting on a rally on the National Mall and calling it the People's State of the Union. The event will be co hosted by the liberal political commentator Joy Reid and will feature federal workers who've lost their jobs and immigrants who've been targeted by the White House. One Democratic lawmaker said he expects President Trump to lie and insult Democrats in his official speech, leading him to want to skip it, saying, quote, these aren't normal times and we have to stop doing normal things. Give it up for the band, everybody. Welcome back, my friends. Oh, this is exciting. On an episode of the Late show this week, you know, you know who.

[Stephen Colbert]

Is not one of my guests tonight? That's Texas State Representative James Talarico. He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network's lawyers who called us directly that we could not have him on the broadcast.

[Tracy Mumford]

Stephen Colbert said that CBS had barred him from airing an interview because of new guidance from the Trump administration on airtime for political candidates and because my.

[Stephen Colbert]

Network clearly doesn't want us to talk about this. Let's talk about this.

[Tracy Mumford]

It's the first time that a late night talk show has changed its programming to meet the updated demands from the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC put out its new guidance last month, part of an escalating crackdown on media companies for perceived bias against conservatives. The FCC warned that entertainment oriented talk shows carried on local TV stations are required to offer candidates equal airtime if they're vying for the same office. Media companies had long considered late night talk shows exempt from that rule, but the head of the FCC said that is no longer the case. The guidance was clearly aimed at hosts who frequently anger President Trump, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers and Colbert. It also covers daytime talk shows, including the View, which is another frequent Trump target. This month, according to Fox News, the FCC already launched an investigation into the View because of an interview with the same Texas lawmaker. Colbert said he to cut. CBS has pushed back on Colbert's version of events, saying it did not prohibit the interview from airing, but quote, provided legal guidance that broadcasting it could trigger the FCC rule because the equal time provision applies only to broadcast. Colbert posted his interview with talarico to his YouTube page instead. Colbert is in the final stretch of hosting the late show, which which will go off the air in May. CBS has said it's purely a financial decision. Two people familiar with the show's budget told the Times it's been losing tens of millions of dollars a year, but many have continued to speculate that the network is canceling it for political reasons.

[Republican Lawmaker]

A Scary Situation Search and rescue teams are dealing with whiteout conditions in the.

[Tracy Mumford]

Sierra right now in a remote part of California.

[American Petroleum Institute Narrator]

Lake Tahoe, Nevada County Sheriff's Office says a group of backcountry skiers are involved.

[Tracy Mumford]

Nine skiers remain missing after they were caught in an avalanche yesterday. They were part of a group including several guides from a tour company. Rescuers were able to reach six survivors late last night. The sheriff's office said they were able to locate them thanks to their emergency beacons. But high winds, heavy snowfall and near zero visibility have made the ongoing search operation incredibly difficult and dangerous. The conditions are some of the worst the area has experienced in years, according to scientists at the Central Sierra Snow Lab. The mountain ranges have been hit by what feels like a conveyor belt of storms. Two major highways are closed and helicopters can't make it to the site safely. Warnings for more avalanches are still in effect. If the remaining skiers are not found alive, this would rank as among the deadliest avalanches in the US in decades. And finally, a video has been making the rounds of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt duking it out on a crumbling rooftop. The stars punch, swing and block, surrounded by ruins, a moody sunset behind them. The 15 second clip has all the bells and whistles of a big Hollywood movie, but it's not a trailer, it's not a promo, it's not even really Pit and Cruise. It was churned out by an AI video generation tool, Seed Dance, which is owned by ByteDance, the company behind TikTok. The man who posted it, a director from Ireland, said he made it with a two sentence prompt. In Hollywood, that has set off an uproar and a wave of panic about how many jobs could be lost with the rise of AI video. Those fears are not new, but the extremely convincing quality of this clip has supercharged them. One of the writers behind the Deadpool movies said it sent a cold shiver up his spine. The head of the Motion Picture association called out the many copyright concerns People have been using Seed Dance not just to make Brad punch Tom, but to spin up things like an alternate ending to Game of Thrones. And the whole thing is likely to loom large over the negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild and studios, which have just started again and will include demands for guardrails on how and if AI can use an actor's likeness. Still, not everyone was impressed with the clip. One producer and writer who works on the series Rick and Morty said she's seen a flood of videos like this and thinks people are getting swept up by the circus of it all. She said she has seen, quote, nothing that has taken my breath away, nothing that is poignant, nothing that is provocative even. It's all just garbage. Those are the headlines today on the Daily Are the bots coming for your job next, even if you're not? Brad Pitt Times tech columnist Kevin Roose on the next generation of AI tools.

[Kevin Roose]

This feels different to me and I think to a lot of other people when you can actually build something useful without knowing how to write code. And I think this is what people think is the thing that's going to take AI from just kind of being a fancier Google to something that genuinely changes how people work.

[Tracy Mumford]

You can listen to that in the New York Times app or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Tracy Mumford. We'll be back tomorrow.

[American Petroleum Institute Narrator]

This podcast is supported by the American Petroleum Institute. Energy is all around today. America's natural gas and oil keeps the country moving, growing and building, and makes every day a little easier. But energy demand is growing, and the infrastructure built today will help secure a more affordable, reliable future with enough energy to go around. When America builds, America wins.