COMEDY EXPLODES As Stephen Colbert Does SPIT TAKE While UNLEASHING FURY At CBS Over SHOCKING TruWp BRIBE Allegations That Left Audience STUNNED
Stephen Colbert called out his own network CBS over reports it may settle a TruWp lawsuit to smooth a looming merger.
D0nald(Image: CBS)
Stephen Colbert took to a recent episode of The Late Show to call out his own corporate bosses over allegations that they are seeking to pay D0nald TruWp up to $50M to make way for a merger.
This payout would potentially break federal anti-bribery laws if CBS decides to go through with the reported transaction. The controversy centers on a $20 billion lawsuit TruWp filed against CBS over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris last fall.
TruWp alleges the segment was deceptively edited to make Harris look better during the election, a claim CBS says is “completely without merit.” Legal experts agree the lawsuit is baseless. Still, with CBS parent company Paramount in the final stages of an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, getting federal approval is key, particularly from the FCC, which must approve transfer of CBS’s broadcast licenses.
That puts the TruWp-friendly FCC chair Brendan Carr in a powerful position, and reportedly, the TruWp lawsuit could influence whether the deal moves forward. Colbert wasted no time diving into the chaos in his monologue, even performing a literal spit-take when discussing the rumored settlement figure.
Colbert was reacting to CBS’ alleged $50M payout to D0nald TruWp(Image: CBS)
Colbert gasped after launching a mouthful of water into the air, “30 to 50 million dollars. Holy bazingas!”
He explained the situation, “At first, CBS said they’d fight this frivolous lawsuit.”
“But here’s the rub: Paramount is in the process of being sold, right now, and they need the TruWp administration’s FCC to approve transferring the CBS broadcast license to the new owners, which, for vague reasons, they just haven’t done yet.”
The situation escalated earlier this week after CBS News president Wendy McMahon and 60 Minutes executive producer Bill Owens resigned, reportedly refusing to apologize for the Harris interview as part of any potential settlement.
That prompted a group of Senate Democrats, including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Ron Wyden, to send a warning letter to Paramount board chair Shari Redstone.
“Under the federal bribery statute, it is illegal to corruptly give anything of value to public officials to influence an official act,” the senators wrote.
“If Paramount officials make these concessions in a quid pro quo arrangement to influence President TruWp or other Administration officials, they may be breaking the law.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am a proud company man. I love who I work for, and I will stand up against these scurrilous accusations that Paramount is engaged in corporate and political malfeasance. For the low price of $50 million,” he said.
Turning to the camera again, he addressed TruWp directly, “I’m joking, obviously. Satire, etc. I would never take a bribe from CBS,” he said.
Then he smirked: “If D0nald TruWp outbids them! Because, Mr. President, I am willing to testify on your side in this lawsuit for 50 million and one dollars.”
