Democratic Senate Candidate James Talarico Leverages Colbert Controversy to Raise $2.5 Million in 24 Hours

Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) stated Wednesday that James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Texas, has become the biggest beneficiary of a controversy involving his interview with Stephen Colbert.

According to reports, Colbert reported on Monday that his network’s lawyers barred him from airing an interview with Talarico, though “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” was not prohibited from broadcasting it. The show was advised that the broadcast could violate Federal Communications Commission equal-time rules.

Gill noted that the controversy arose when demands were made for Colbert to provide equal time to Talarico’s primary opponent, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), rather than any Republican Senate candidates. “This was an internecine Democrat war that Stephen Colbert wanted to put his thumb on the scale on,” Gill said. “Talarico was able to make a big stink out of this with Colbert’s help and raise $2.5 million within 24 hours.”

Gill described the situation as a “massive fundraising stunt” and added, “It’s really grotesque. It shows how just absolutely dishonest these people are.” He further stated that Talarico is being propped up by the Democratic elite, comparing him to Pete Buttigieg: “He’s very articulate but not very appealing to most Americans. But the Democrat elite have been propping him up.”

Gill also noted that Talarico has made comments on record referring to God as non-binary and concluded, “Whether it’s Talarico or Jasmine Crockett, whoever wins the Democratic primary, Republicans are going to win in November.”