SHOCKING: Stephen Colbert Moves to CNN After CBS Firing, Exposing Bribery and Conspiracy

On July 24, 2025, at 8:35 PM PDT, Variety reported a bombshell: Stephen Colbert, the beloved host of The Late Show, has signed with CNN for a new primetime show following his abrupt dismissal from CBS. The move comes just days after Colbert’s cancellation, which he announced on July 17, sparking widespread speculation of political motives tied to a $16 million settlement between CBS’s parent company, Paramount, and President Donald Trump. In a fiery interview with CNN’s Reliable Sources, Colbert alleged an “internal conspiracy” involving bribery and corporate capitulation, accusing Paramount of sacrificing free speech to secure a merger. The revelations have ignited a media firestorm, threatening to unravel a television empire as fans and lawmakers demand answers.

Colbert’s exit from CBS followed his blistering July 14 monologue, where he called Paramount’s settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview edit a “big fat bribe.” The lawsuit, deemed “frivolous” by legal experts, accused CBS of manipulating a 2024 Kamala Harris interview. Paramount’s $16 million payout, tied to Trump’s future presidential library, coincided with their $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires Trump administration approval via the FCC. Three days later, CBS announced The Late Show’s cancellation, effective May 2026, citing financial losses of $40-$50 million annually, despite its status as the top-rated late-night show with 2.4 million nightly viewers.

In his CNN interview, Colbert didn’t hold back. “This wasn’t about money—it was about silencing dissent,” he said, alleging that Paramount executives, pressured by Trump ally Larry Ellison’s son, David Ellison of Skydance, orchestrated his firing to appease the administration. “I was told to tone it down or face consequences. I chose truth over compliance.” He claimed internal documents, which he’s shared with investigators, reveal Paramount’s efforts to curry favor with Trump to secure the merger. These accusations have fueled outrage, with Senator Elizabeth Warren tweeting, “CBS’s actions look like bribery. America deserves answers.”

The public response has been electric. On X, #SaveColbert and #BoycottCBS trended, with users like @MediaTruth22 posting, “Colbert exposed their dirty deal, and they axed him. This is censorship!” Protesters gathered outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, where The Late Show was taped, holding signs reading, “Colbert Stays! Trump Must Go!” Celebrities, including Jon Stewart, who called Paramount’s actions “cowardly” on The Daily Show, rallied behind Colbert. Stewart, joined by Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and Lin-Manuel Miranda in a spoof segment, led a chant against corporate cowardice, amplifying the narrative of a media conspiracy.

Colbert’s move to CNN, set to debut in September 2025, will see him host a weekly primetime show blending satire and investigative journalism. CNN’s Brian Stelter, who broke the story, said, “Colbert’s fearless voice is what we need to hold power accountable.” The show, tentatively titled Truth to Power, aims to capitalize on Colbert’s 33 Emmy nominations and his knack for viral monologues. Unlike CBS’s network constraints, CNN’s cable platform offers Colbert greater freedom to tackle controversial topics, a move praised by fans but criticized by Trump, who posted on Truth Social, “Colbert’s a loser, now CNN’s problem. They’ll regret it!”

The timing of Colbert’s firing has raised suspicions. Democratic lawmakers, including Adam Schiff and Bernie Sanders, questioned whether Paramount bowed to Trump’s influence, noting the president’s history of targeting critics like Joy Reid and George Stephanopoulos. Schiff, a guest on Colbert’s final taping, wrote on X, “If this was political, the public deserves to know.” Sanders added, “Colbert called out a bribe, and they fired him. Coincidence? No.” The settlement’s optics, coupled with David Ellison’s ties to Trump via his father, have fueled theories of a quid pro quo to secure FCC approval.

CBS insists the cancellation was “purely financial,” citing the high cost of late-night production and declining ad revenue. The Late Show’s elaborate sets and staff of hundreds made it a financial burden, unlike cheaper alternatives like After Midnight, which Colbert produced. Yet, NPR’s Eric Deggans told PBS NewsHour that the timing “raises serious questions,” especially as Paramount navigates its merger under Trump’s FCC. Bill Carter, a late-night historian, called CBS’s explanation “deluded” if they thought the move wouldn’t spark backlash.

Colbert’s allegations of a conspiracy have drawn parallels to historical media scandals, with The Guardian comparing it to network pressures under past administrations. His move to CNN positions him alongside anchors like Anderson Cooper, who praised Colbert’s “courage to speak truth.” However, critics on X, like @PatriotVoiceUSA, argue, “Colbert’s just whining—he can’t handle a free market.” The debate has highlighted the precarious state of late-night TV, with experts predicting hosts like Kimmel and Fallon may shift to independent platforms like YouTube to bypass corporate control.

As investigations into Paramount’s motives begin, Colbert’s revelations could reshape perceptions of media independence. His new CNN platform promises to amplify his voice, potentially exposing more about the CBS-Trump saga. For now, the television empire faces a reckoning, with Colbert’s fans vowing to follow him to CNN, ensuring his fight for “truthiness” continues.