Glenn Garner
Following FCC complaints about Kamala Harris‘ last-minute Saturday Night Live appearance, NBC has given Donald Trump 90 seconds of free ad time.
On Sunday, the network reportedly aired a clip of Trump addressing voters during its coverage of the NASCAR playoff race, after Harris’ SNL cold open cameo was accused of violating the FCC’s Equal Time Rule ahead of Election Day on Tuesday.
Trump-appointed FCC commissioner Brendan Carr previously accused SNL of a “clear and blatant effort” to evade the Equal Time Rule, which requires broadcasters to provide rival candidates comparable time — news programming is exempt. The rule is often confused with the Fairness Doctrine, which was abandoned in the 1980s, requiring stations to present different points of view.
Noting that Harris’ SNL cameo came just three days before the presidential election, Carr posted on X, “What comparable time and placement can they offer all other qualifying candidates?”
NBC affiliates including those in New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., have since filed notice that Harris “appeared without charge” on SNL for one minute, 30 seconds on Saturday. A network source said they would comply with all regulatory obligations.