In a fiery monologue that has set the entertainment world ablaze, Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, publicly lambasted Paramount Global for its $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump, branding it a “big fat bribe” to appease political pressure. The remarks, delivered on the August 4, 2025, episode, come amid the controversial cancellation of Colbert’s CBS show, set to end in May 2026. His accusation—that Paramount’s cited “financial reasons” for the cancellation are a cover-up for caving to Trump—has sparked a firestorm among fans, who are rallying behind the comedian’s defiance and demanding answers about the network’s motives.

Colbert’s blistering critique centered on Paramount’s settlement over a 2024 60 Minutes interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris, which Trump claimed was defamatory. Legal experts widely dismissed the lawsuit as baseless, but Paramount, facing an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, opted to settle, a decision many link to smoothing regulatory hurdles. “This isn’t about finances,” Colbert declared, his voice dripping with indignation. “This is a big fat bribe to keep the boy king happy, and they think we’re too dumb to see it.” His words, met with raucous applause from the studio audience, have fueled speculation that the Late Show’s cancellation was a casualty of this corporate maneuver.

The monologue, one of Colbert’s most unfiltered to date, resonated deeply with viewers. Social media exploded with support, as hashtags like #ColbertVsParamount and #NoBribeForTrump trended globally on X. “Stephen Colbert just called out Paramount’s BS, and I’m here for it!” one fan tweeted, sharing a clip of the monologue that garnered over 3 million views. Another posted a meme of Colbert as a superhero, captioned, “Fighting corporate corruption one monologue at a time.” Etsy sellers quickly capitalized, offering T-shirts and mugs emblazoned with “Big Fat Bribe” and Colbert’s face, reflecting the public’s fervor.

The settlement has been a lightning rod for controversy. Paramount’s decision, reportedly pushed by chair Shari Redstone, has led to significant fallout at CBS, with 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley warning of “damaging” consequences for editorial integrity. News executives Bill Owens and Wendy McMahon resigned in protest, amplifying concerns about media independence. Colbert, whose show has been a ratings powerhouse with 2.4 million nightly viewers, didn’t hold back, accusing Paramount of sacrificing journalistic principles. “They’re trying to make themselves so bland, so spineless, that no one will notice,” he said. “But we notice. And we’re not letting this slide.”

Trump responded swiftly on Truth Social, gloating over the Late Show’s cancellation and claiming credit. “Colbert’s out because he had NO TALENT, just like Kimmel and Fallon,” he wrote, predicting other late-night shows would follow. “I’m glad I helped get rid of this garbage!” Colbert fired back on air, bringing out guests “Weird Al” Yankovic and Lin-Manuel Miranda for a musical segment that mocked Trump’s influence, declaring, “They can cancel my show, but they can’t cancel me.” The episode’s defiant tone, coupled with Colbert’s upcoming guest role as a fictional talk show host in CBS’s Elsbeth, has fans buzzing about his resilience.

The controversy has reignited debates about the state of late-night television and corporate influence in media. Jon Stewart, Colbert’s mentor from The Daily Show, echoed his sentiments, accusing CBS of capitulating to political pressure. Fans have launched petitions to save The Late Show, with one on Change.org amassing 50,000 signatures by August 6. “Colbert’s calling out the truth,” one supporter wrote on a forum. “Paramount’s hiding behind ‘finances’ to dodge accountability.” Others speculated about Colbert’s future, with ideas ranging from a streaming platform to a Colbert Report revival.

The Elsbeth cameo, set to air in October 2025, adds a layer of intrigue. Playing Scotty Bristol, a fictional talk show host, Colbert appears to be poking fun at his own predicament, with fans seeing it as a subtle jab at CBS. “Stephen’s turning their betrayal into art,” one X user posted, sharing a fan-made trailer blending Late Show clips with Elsbeth teasers. Liverpool FC, a team Colbert supports, joined the conversation, posting, “Stephen’s fighting the good fight, on and off the screen. YNWA.” The Kop plans a stadium tribute during their next match, with a banner reading “Colbert: Truth Teller.”

The settlement’s broader implications are profound. With Skydance CEO David Ellison, son of Trump ally Larry Ellison, promising “diverse viewpoints” post-merger, critics fear a chilling effect on free expression. Colbert’s monologue has become a rallying cry, with fans flooding X with videos of his past Trump takedowns, captioned, “This is why they want him gone.” One user wrote, “Colbert’s exposing Paramount’s cowardice. We need voices like his now more than ever.”

As The Late Show’s final months loom, Colbert’s outspokenness has cemented his legacy as a fearless satirist. His accusation of a “big fat bribe” has galvanized supporters, who see him as a defender of truth in a polarized media landscape. With social media ablaze and tributes pouring in, from fan art to viral clips, Colbert’s fight against corporate overreach resonates far beyond the studio. Whether on Elsbeth or a new platform, his voice remains a beacon, proving that even in the face of cancellation, Stephen Colbert is far from silenced.