The recent surge in search interest for “James Talarico” is primarily linked to events surrounding Stephen Colbert’s late-night show and CBS’s decision to block an interview with the Texas Democrat. In articles from The New York Times and The Washington Post, it was reported that Colbert accused CBS of preventing Talarico from appearing on his show due to concerns related to FCC regulations. This unusual situation raised significant eyebrows, particularly regarding artistic freedom and censorship in media.
The situation intensified when Colbert publicly criticized the network, suggesting that the decision to pull Talarico’s interview was influenced by the Trump administration’s stance and the regulatory implications that CBS feared. His comments highlighted a broader issue of media control, igniting interest and curiosity among viewers and readers, resulting in increased searches for Talarico’s name.
As news spread about this controversial decision, the conversation around media censorship and political influence gained traction, prompting more people to seek information on Talarico, a relatively lesser-known figure, thereby driving search volumes up to over 100K. The combination of a high-profile talk show environment and serious allegations of suppression contributed to heightened public interest in Talarico and the implications of this event.
Watch the Moment
Internet Reacts
S
“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the \[Republican\] party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.” \- Republican Barry Goldwater in 1981
L
It tracks. Mike Johnson literally believes he’s chosen by God to be the new Moses
F
New Moses has some weird porn habits.
C
Old Moses probably would’ve too, if he had the internet. I heard dude was *super* into fire crotches.
I
Yeah but who isn’t??
J
Hasn’t he said he talks with God? That should scare literally everyone because either he’s a crazy dude who hears voices OR he talks to a god that is perfectly fine with his actions in regard to pedophile protection. The one he talks to cannot be a just god.
M
I hear voices in my head. -Mike Johnson
H
RKO out of nowhere
K
Alternative is he’s an amoral liar.
P
And let’s be clear, Goldwater WAS an extremist himself. He was a segregationist, hated social welfare and provided plenty of cover for racists.
A
He was an extreme social conservative, classist, and racist for the love of the game, not because his religion or religious leader told him to be
H
Oddly respectable to have your foundation of hateful rhetoric to be your own at least.
F
Did it for the love of the game
Y
They’re just the american taliban. If they were muslim those same preachers would be clutching their pearls over their extremist words and beliefs, but because they are white christians we seem to tolerate their constant calls for violence and genocide.
A
And that’s from Barry Goldwater, who famously said when running for President in 1968: “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice.”
M
Its crazy Barry Goldwater said this. He was strictly against the civil rights act in the 60s and was a far right conservative. I wonder what made him state this publicly
P
So Iran but with guns trucks and Money Like KSA
F
Reasonable guy says reasonable things. Content clearly unfit for network television. /s
C
it’s fucking hilarious how we screech about China and their censorship only for us to be a worse, shittier, more hostile alternative to China.
I
In this version of USA that would make North Korea blush, if you aren’t praising Dear Leader at all times you shall not have a platform.
C
“There is nothing Christian about Christian Nationalism. It is the worship of power in the name of Christ.” Well said
K
[edit: I thought] “In God We Trust” was meant to inspire humility in our leaders. It reflected a sacred responsibility for men to have such power. It did not mean that men should righteously claim the power of God.
S
It was never meant to do that, it was created to spite communism. The phrase is not that old at all.
S
~~That was in The Pledge when ‘under God’ was added. Not what they’re talking about.~~ My bad. “In God We Trust” became the country’s motto in 1956 for reasons you mentioned.
V
The pledge was also changed around that time, for I believe the same reasons.
T
Amen. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet as one of his last acts before the cross. He told us that that is what leaders look like. Our leaders should do the same.
E
Even though I’m not Christian anymore, one of the most powerful ideas I took with me is that in our society, being called a servant has an almost inherently negative connotation (not the literal profession of servant but the idea). It would be nice to live in a world where calling someone a servant is a compliment, with the connotation being that they humbly dedicate themselves to helping and caring for others, and our country’s leaders would be the greatest public servants. Culturally, it seems like the US prefers kings as presidents rather than public servants.
G
This is something that drives me nuts about the education ideology in the US – everybody will be a leader. There isn’t really a place for team players
E
When reality TV began with “I’m here to win, not make friends”, a subset of America saw that as vindication to be assholes LOUD AND PROUD. Around that time, a divorce attorney friend told me that he and his cohort were seeing similarities in new cases. One of them related this to his wife, and she pointed out some of the script from a ‘Real Housewives’ show. “They’re like training videos,” he said. Look at the examples our youth are seeing. They will be our future jet mechanics, school bus drivers, bridge builders, water-supply technicians.
G
That’s one thing that I like about British quiz (etc.) shows like Great British Bake Off, Would I Lie To You or Taskmaster. People are there to have a good time, and that includes helping each other or happily making a fool of themselves. American shows seem to aim for the Wrestling look, where it’s all about dominating and humiliating (OK, a bit extreme, but have you ever seen competitors help each other out on American shows?)
0
A lot of Americans are transactional. I think the cliquey highschool mentality never really leaves.
T
It was actually Christian propaganda to push the nation into being a Christian nation. The big Christian push in the 40s and 50s was a conservative response to the new deal and to ‘combat’ communism.
L
Exactly, but people are so desperate for conservatives to pretend they have morals again that they are uplifting religion. Not realizing that same uplifting is what got us here in the first place. Jefferson is rolling in his grave.
T
Too many people think the only source of morality is from religion. People should read Moral Animal or at least have an understanding of evolutionary biology and psychology to understand how morality can arise secularly and without the need for a deistic outlook.
T
“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.” ~ Barry Goldwater 1981
J
I always thought it was just intended to make us feel superior to the godless communists. I’m not sure it really was ever a particularly noble expression, just self-aggrandizing.
E
Yeah, you are correct. That phrase is pure propaganda
T
If I recall correctly it wasn’t even that. It’s cause they were scared of communists and atheists. I know there’s a longer history of the phrase, but we didn’t start using it as we do until the late 50s.
T
“In god we trust” was McCarthyism bullshit used to scare people about Russian spies. You can fuck off with your “responsibility” garbage
P
We need to refer to them by their correct name, Nationalist Christian, or NatC for short.
E
This was an OUTSTANDING interview. MUST WATCH. Our first amendment is getting destroyed in this political environment and candidates like James Talarico give HOPE that there may be a brighter day ahead.
M
I didn’t remember this guy’s name at first, but once I started the video I was like, oh yeah I remember him. The first time I saw him was from a video from months ago giving a speech somewhere, don’t remember, but back then he started talking and I was like, ew, religion. But by the time his speech was over I was like, okay actually this dude’s pretty chill, if this was how all religious people were all the time, I might not have turned into an atheist when I was 16.
S
I’m a big time atheist, but I legitimately believe in what this guy is saying. If we actually did the things he talks about, then I would be proud to say I lived in a Christian dominated country. As it stands, it’s only majority Christian in name alone.
W
I’m an atheist that agrees with many of the philosophies that are within religion. I find that the positive commonalities that make religions popular are often among the best of what can define humanity. The problem with religion is that it is invariably coopted by bad actors who wish to use the belief systems to gain power. Edit: Neat. I’ve been reported as suicidal for having an open mind.
S
You put into words how I feel with that first sentence. If religious people actually practiced what they preached, this world would be a better place.
A
Christ sounds like a swell dude on paper. It’s most of his “followers” that suck
M
If Christ came back the Evangelical Christians would crucify him.
A
A brown socialist middle easterner who wants to help the poor and the immigrants? He wouldn’t last a day
H
If I were in Texas he would have my vote for including atheists as his neighbors. That’s true. If you’re a REAL Christian, you would accept *everyone*. Not hold your nose about some people while accepting others. That’s just hypocrisym
S
Texan atheist here—I met him at a campaign fundraiser and thanked him for being inclusive of us on his campaign, and he said he’s been humbled by all the atheists who personify the teachings of Jesus better than the people on TV claiming to speak on behalf of Christianity. he also gave me some advice on how to talk to my MAGA dad, which actually worked eta: he basically told me, “when can you remember ever changing your mind about something really big? was it from somebody tellin’ you that you’re wrong? they just argued at you until you agreed with them? or did it happen on your own, with lots of questions and time? my advice to you is this: listen to him, hear him, and find something—*anything*—to agree with. start from there, and build outward. you’re probably not going to change his mind, he has to do that for himself. but you can at least have a conversation with him”
Additional Sources:
The New York Times – Colbert Doesn’t Give an F.C.C. About Calling Out CBS
The New York Times – Colbert Slams Trump Administration After CBS Pulls Talarico Interview
