Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was on air for 12 minutes and five seconds when he hosted NBC’s late night comedy show, “Saturday Night Live,” earlier this month.
But some of his GOP rivals want their own turn in the spotlight and have asked the network for equal time on-air under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) laws.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) filed for equal time at the end of last week, and former New York Gov. George Pataki (R) has said he was going to file, according to Variety.
Kasich’s request was filed by his campaign lawyer, E. Mark Braden, who noted that Kasich deserved equal time because Trump’s appearance wasn’t for a “bona fide” newscast or news interview.
Graham campaign’s chief counsel, Brendan Parets, quoted the FCC regulation in his request and wrote that both Trump and Graham “can make ‘a substantial showing of a bona fide candidacy’ for the Republican presidential nomination in Iowa.” Therefore, Parets argued, Graham deserved equal time.
Here’s Kasich’s letter:
Here’s Graham’s letter:
Update:
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore added their names to the list, Variety reported Thursday.
