Stephen Colbert, host of the "Late Show," didn’t hold back when asked about the major lesson he learned in 2025. During a New Year’s Eve broadcast with CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, Colbert advised, "Don’t trust billionaires. They didn’t get rich by stumbling upon money on the side of the road, brother."
The announcement of the end of the "Late Show" by CBS last summer was attributed to a "purely financial decision," with claims that the show was losing $40 million annually. However, many, including fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, doubted these numbers, calling the corporate claims about Colbert "obviously lies."
Speculation arose that political pressure played a role in the decision, particularly as it coincided with Paramount’s efforts to finalize a merger with Skydance Media, which required FCC approval. President Donald Trump’s repeated attacks on Colbert and calls for his show to be canceled added fuel to the fire.
The merger was eventually approved the following week, with David Ellison, son of billionaire Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, reportedly bankrolling the deal and taking charge of the combined entity. In the meantime, Colbert hasn’t shied away from criticizing the company that let him go, even poking fun at their $108 billion bid for a hostile takeover of Warner Bros.
To watch Colbert’s full New Year’s Eve CNN interview, including his comments about billionaires, check out the video below.
