NBC gave Donald Trump equal time for Kamala Harris sketch on SNL

NBK is giving former President Donald Trump’s campaign free advertising time in response to Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearance on Saturday Night Liveincluding an unusual ad during NASCAR’s Sunday coverage, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Harris appeared on Saturday. SNL for one minute and 30 seconds, meaning that if another presidential campaign called for it, NBC would have to devote about 90 seconds of time to it.

NBC aired the NASCAR playoff race on Sunday, but some viewers noticed near the end of the broadcast (technically right after the race ended, but while coverage was still ongoing) that Trump appeared in an unusual ad, talking directly to the camera while wearing a red uniform. A “Make America Great Again” baseball cap and a claim that Harris’ election would cause “depression” and that viewers should “go out and vote.”

A source familiar with the situation says the spot during a NASCAR race was due to NBC giving the Trump campaign equal time.

Trump given 60 extra campaign seconds during NBC appearance Sunday Night Football coating. Although the game had already ended, the commercial – the same one that aired during the NASCAR coverage – aired during the postgame coverage (and shortly after the paid advertising campaign). It’s only 120 seconds.

It’s unclear whether the Trump camp or NBC suggested NASCAR and strategic nuclear forces placement.

It’s also unclear whether any other campaigns required the same amount of time. However, if they do, NBC will likely have to make time for them, given FCC rules. SNL creator Lorne Michaels previously cited the rules in an interview with Hollywood Reporter as the reason the show didn’t feature Trump or Harris this cycle.

Harris appeared on SNL in a cold open sketch alongside Maya Rudolph, who plays the vice president of the late-night comedy show. In the sketch, Rudolph’s Harris sought a pep talk from the real Harris, and the pair ended the segment with, “Leave Kamala and carry on-ala.”

However, the sketch was drawn rebuke from FCC Commissioner Brendan Carrwho is being considered as a potential chairman of the Federal Communications Commission if President Trump is re-elected. Carr wrote that the sketch was a “clear and obvious attempt to circumvent the FCC’s equal time rule” because it appeared just two days before Election Day, within the seven-day window the FCC gives to campaigns claiming equal time.

It’s worth noting that the rule “does not require a radio station to provide opposing candidates with programming identical to that of the initiating candidate” under FCC rules, but rather requires comparable time and placement.

Fast turn for NASCAR and strategic nuclear forces coverage assumes that the network moves quickly to resolve any claims with equal time.

Kimberly Nordyke contributed to this report.