Guy Ciarrocchi: Legacy media supported Colbert’s lies — and his agenda

Stephen Colbert lied. It’s crystal clear to anyone with an open mind and honest heart.

He lied to get attention — to play the victim. That’s his favorite role. He actually tries to pull off two personas at once — both the victim and the tough guy “standing up to” Trump. It would be comical if it wasn’t so lame, so overt. Yet, unfortunately, so effective.

The FCC did not tell Colbert (or CBS) that he couldn’t have Texas state representative and US Senate candidate James Talarico as a guest on The Late Show. 

The “suits” at CBS did not tell Colbert that he couldn’t have Talarico as a guest on his show. (They actually told how he could host him, and comply with federal law.)

The shameful reality is that Colbert, his lackeys, Talarico, and countless irresponsible, self-centered, progressive social media avengers dutifully and purposely promoted that false narrative over and over. 

With the usual storyline of Colbert victimhood, the thuggery of the FCC and Trump as a Nazi/King/Dictator silencing those whom he opposes.

Lies. Lies. Damn lies.

But…the bigger, more problematic offense: The legacy print and television media promoted the narrative — even “rival” networks. Even after it was crystal clear — based on the statements from CBS, government officials, and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett of Texas — Talarico’s opponent in the Democratic primary.

Why? Because it fits their narrative that they desperately want to promote: they’re part of a sacred institution (the “free press”) and evil Trump and his toadies will stop at nothing to wield dictatorial power to crush their enemies.

Colbert ranted on his show, posted on social media, and then hosted his YouTube show as if he was some underground “resistance” fighter — all built on a purposeful lie. (By the way, I’m missing the part where he was “silenced.”) 

Colbert did it to achieve his personal, financial and political agenda. And Talarico has raised millions in the hours after this alleged, contrived act of “defiance.” Talarico has proudly posted his bounty on X as if he had won a gold medal in bobsledding.

Colbert put himself above his staff, employer, and protecting the good will of the media in the eyes of an increasingly doubting public. And Talarico is a manipulative politician  —  seeking fame and money over doing the right thing.

Colbert is a fraud and Talarico a scoundrel.

But the real sin is that the legacy media repeated this lie; even after it was crystal clear that Colbert lied. He isn’t a victim. And the First Amendment is as safe as it was before the kerfuffle. 

Colbert ranted to get national (even international) attention. To get people to watch his show. To get people to watch his “after hours” YouTube show. To build a following. So that when he leaves CBS later this spring, he will be a cult figure. Then, he can really speak his mind…

It was a brilliant plan — albeit deceptive, fiendish and manipulative. His outrage was contrived.

Moreover, the secondary objective was to help his preferred choice to win the Democratic primary for US Senate in Texas. Talarico is someone unknown to most of America, and most Texans who haven’t seen his progressive, hipster Democratic shtick on social media.

There is a multi-candidate Democrat field of candidates (at least three GOP candidates), and Colbert is promoting Talarico. Thus he is rejecting (not supporting) the candidacy of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, who is African American.

And Crockett knows it. She’s called him out on it. And she is angry. 

Let’s be clear: Colbert has a First Amendment right to lie. And he can have a preference for any candidate running for any office. 

What he cannot do is ignore the law. The “fairness doctrine” exists to prevent what Colbert was trying to do — spotlight his preferred candidate for office, while shutting out Crockett, and the others he opposes, on a major television network.

“King Colbert” threw his temper tantrum — on purpose — because he didn’t want to comply with federal law.

The major networks are different from every other cable, internet and app channel. There are a set, limited number of those broadcast frequencies accessible on everyone’s TV —even if you “cut the cord.”

There are rules and standards for ABC, NBC, and CBS: you can’t say certain words and there are limits on sex, drugs, and violence.

If you broadcast on HBO, Hulu, YouTube, or use a Facebook Live account — record in your basement and post it on any social media platform, you may have any guest you want and say anything. (By the way, Bill Maher [HBO], Tucker Carlson [X] and Greg Gutfeld [Fox] all have audiences larger than Colbert — and Fallon and Kimmel. So it’s not about audience access.)

Colbert wanted another firefight to advance his personal and political agenda.

That the legacy media willingly — if not gleefully — did it loudly and prominently, even after it was obviously false is yet another reminder of how things have changed.

Democracy dies in false light.

Guy Ciarrocchi writes for Broad + Liberty and RealClear Pennsylvania. A Senior Fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation, follow Guy at  @PaSuburbsGuy.