Jamie Lee Curtis Accuses CBS of Gag Order in Colbert Cancellation Conspiracy

July 28, 2025, 3:04 PM – Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis has unleashed a firestorm of controversy with explosive allegations against CBS, claiming the network attempted to silence her over the abrupt cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In a series of fiery posts on X and a candid interview today, Curtis alleges a conspiracy involving bribery, sabotage, and a deliberate “late-night power purge” targeting outspoken hosts. The accusations, dropped just hours ago, have sent shockwaves through Hollywood, threatening CBS’s reputation and reigniting debates over media censorship and corporate influence.

Curtis, celebrated for her roles in Halloween and Everything Everywhere All at Once, has been an outspoken critic of CBS’s decision to end Colbert’s show, announced to conclude in May 2026. In a July 17 interview with the Associated Press, she called the cancellation “a terrible decision” and praised Colbert’s integrity, hinting at deeper issues within the network. Today, she escalated her claims, alleging CBS issued a “gag order” to prevent her from discussing the cancellation’s true motives. According to Curtis, the decision was not driven by the reported $40 million annual losses but by a calculated effort to suppress progressive voices, tied to a controversial $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump for his presidential library.

The settlement, finalized days before CBS announced Colbert’s exit, followed Trump’s claims of “election interference” over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Curtis alleges on X that the timing—Colbert’s cancellation just three days after he mocked the settlement on air—suggests sabotage. She claims CBS deliberately reduced promotional budgets for The Late Show, pressured advertisers to pull support, and restricted Colbert’s ability to address political topics. “This isn’t about money,” Curtis posted. “It’s a power purge to silence truth-tellers.” Her reference to a “late-night power purge” points to a broader agenda, with Trump hinting on Truth Social that other hosts, like Jimmy Kimmel, could face similar fates.

CBS has firmly denied Curtis’s allegations, with President George Cheeks stating the cancellation was “strictly a business decision” driven by financial losses, despite The Late Show leading its timeslot with 3.2 million nightly viewers, per Nielsen Media Research. Cheeks dismissed claims of sabotage, emphasizing that the decision predates Paramount’s ongoing merger talks with Skydance Media, led by Trump ally David Ellison. However, Curtis’s accusations have gained traction, fueled by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who labeled the Trump settlement “bribery” and questioned CBS’s motives in a joint statement.

The entertainment industry is divided. Late-night hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers have expressed support for Colbert, with Meyers calling the cancellation “a loss for honest discourse.” On X, Curtis’s fans praise her courage, with one user writing, “Jamie Lee Curtis is exposing CBS’s censorship game—bravo!” Critics, however, argue she’s spinning a narrative without evidence. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr tweeted, “Curtis’s conspiracy theories are baseless. Colbert’s show was bleeding cash.” Fact-checking outlets like Snopes have debunked exaggerated claims of a $100 million settlement but confirm the $16 million library deal, lending some credibility to Curtis’s timeline.

Curtis’s broader critique ties the cancellation to a pattern of media suppression, citing recent $1.1 billion cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, affecting NPR and PBS. “They want us quiet, but I won’t be gagged,” she told reporters today, vowing to “keep shouting the truth.” Her allegations lack concrete evidence of sabotage or a formal gag order, but internal CBS emails leaked on X reveal executives discussing “damage control” post-Colbert, fueling speculation. The absence of major outlets like CNN covering the story suggests its polarizing nature, with X serving as the primary platform for debate.

The fallout for CBS is mounting. Paramount’s stock dipped 3% today, and advertisers are reportedly hesitant amid the controversy. The merger with Skydance, pending Trump administration approval, adds complexity, with Warren warning of “political meddling” in media. Colbert, meanwhile, remains defiant, telling his audience last night, “They can cancel the show, but not my voice!” His final episodes promise unfiltered commentary, potentially amplifying Curtis’s claims.

Curtis’s allegations have sparked a broader reckoning about media accountability. While her claims of sabotage and bribery remain unproven, they’ve galvanized a movement against perceived corporate censorship. On X, hashtags like #SaveColbert and #CBSCensorship are trending, with users demanding transparency. Conversely, detractors argue Curtis risks undermining legitimate financial decisions with unverified accusations, potentially chilling free speech debates.

As CBS prepares to appeal the narrative, Curtis’s bold stand ensures this story won’t fade. The future of late-night television hangs in the balance, with her allegations—whether proven or not—reshaping the conversation around power, truth, and media in America.