NBC airs a video message from Trump in an apparent attempt to provide equal time after Harris' SNL appearance

NBC News aired a brief video message from former President Trump on Sunday evening in an effort to give the leading presidential candidates equal airtime after Vice President Harris appeared on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL).

The network aired a NASCAR playoff race, but near the end of the broadcast, Trump looked into the camera and addressed the crowd in a recorded message.

The Hill has reached out to NBC News for more information, but to the Hollywood Reporter noted that Trump said a Harris presidency would cause a “depression” and encouraged people to vote.

A source familiar with the matter told the newspaper that the appearance was related to giving Trump equal time. The outlet noted that it was not clear whether the Trump campaign requested the slot or if it was provided by NBC.

Harris made her debut on SNL less than three days before the election in a short skit for the episode’s cold open with comedian Maya Rudolph, who plays Harris on the show.

The Trump campaign immediately criticized Harris for going on the show, saying she was “cosplaying with her elite friends” while her campaign “faded into obscurity.”

The fallout from the crackdown continued on Sunday. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr posted on X that her actions were a “clear and blatant” attempt to circumvent the FCC’s Equal Time Rule.

The FCC’s ‘Equal Time’ Rule let rival candidates ask for equal airtime if they want it. Carr said it was intended to prevent “this type of biased and partisan behavior.”

Harris appeared on SNL for one minute and thirty seconds, and under FCC rule, Trump was able to request roughly the same airtime from the network.

FCC regulations do not require a station to offer opposing candidates identical odds, but rather comparable time and placement.

NBC submitted a report with the FCC announcing Harris’ airtime on Sunday and saying she appeared on the show without charges.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for more information and comment.

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