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With the so-called “shakedown money” now settled in a lawsuit, the merger between Paramount and Skydanceāled by the Trump-aligned Ellison brothersāis set to finalize in just a few weeks.
Paramount, the parent company of networks like CBS and Comedy Central, has signaled a desire to cleanse its newly acquired assets of what they term the “liberal taint.” This raises questions about the future of some of its most notable talent, including Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
Oliver Darcy recently penned a piece in the Status newsletter:
Inside āThe Daily Show,ā staffers take pride in Stewart’s readiness to confront powerful interests, even at the risk of his own job security. However, it’s uncertain how much longer he will retain that platform as shifts in corporate strategy loom.
The reality is that the ground beneath Stewart and Colbert is rapidly shifting. With Skydance’s merger with Paramount expected to conclude soon, focus has largely been on how the Ellisons will reshape “60 Minutes” and CBS News. Reports have surfaced of David Ellison meeting with Bari Weiss regarding a potential role at CBS News, signaling that the new owners aim to purge the network of what they view as liberal bias. Yet, little attention has been given to the futures of Colbert and Stewart, both known for their consistent critiques of Trump, under this new leadership.
Jon Stewart’s contract, ending in 2026, likely comes with a hefty paycheck for producing a single weekly show and overseeing The Daily Show. The new management could opt not to renew his contract, framing it as a cost-cutting measure rather than a direct dismissal.
