Michaels was right about one thing: The Equal Time rule itself is pretty complicated. For starters, the Equal Time rule is technically not even called the “Equal Time” rule; officially, it is titled “Equal Opportunities.” Colloquially and practically, it makes more sense to focus on time.

A Trump campaign spokesperson said NBC aired a minute-long Trump video during NASCAR and NFL broadcasts to satisfy the FCC’s equal time rules.

Republican FCC commissioner Brendon Carr, a Trump appointee, claimed NBC used "public airwaves to exert its influence for one candidate on the eve of an election."