Stephen Colbert Slams CBS & Paramount for "Bending the Knee" to Trump

Allegations of Bribes and Mergers

• 🎯 Donald Trump claimed CBS and Paramount paid him $16 million to settle a lawsuit, with an anticipated additional $20 million, totaling over $36 million.
• 💡 This settlement is alleged to have been a bribe to secure approval for the Paramount-Sky Dance merger.
• 💰 Sherry Redstone, who sold Paramount, is accused of prioritizing her $8 billion sale over freedom of speech and rewarding corruption.

Colbert's Criticism and Network Denials

• 🗣️ Stephen Colbert reportedly called the settlement a "big fat bribe" and criticized CBS's decision to settle with Trump.
• ⚠️ Paramount has denied any knowledge of promises or commitments made to President Trump regarding additional payments or PSAs.
• 📰 Reports suggest that David Ellison, son of Trump friend Larry Ellison and head of Sky Dance, agreed to fund $15-20 million in public service ads promoting causes supported by Trump.

Broader Implications and Accusations

• ⚖️ The settlement structure, with funds potentially supplied by Ellison, was reportedly designed to help Paramount avoid bribery charges.
• 🚫 Sky Dance also allegedly promised the FCC to review CBS hiring practices and eliminate DEI initiatives at Paramount post-merger.
• 🎤 The discussion highlights accusations of politicians using government power to financially blackmail companies, drawing parallels to potential actions by Democratic politicians.
• 🎭 The situation is framed as a politician using "cancel culture" to punish critics and protect personal interests, such as hiding files related to Jeffrey Epstein.