By Isabella Torregiani
3:51pm PDT, Jul 16, 2025
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Popular liberal TV hosts
John Stewart and
Stephen Colbert may face the chopping block as Paramount, owner of Comedy Central and CBS, proposes a merger with Skydance Media. The deal requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission, led by
Brendan Carr, a Republican and supporter of President
Donald Trump.
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John Stewart, host of
The Daily Show, and
Stephen Colbert, frontman of
The Late Show, have both been outspoken critics of President Donald Trump over the years, including throughout the 2024 election cycle. While many liberal hosts have voiced opposition to Trump, Stewart and Colbert find themselves in uncertain territory after their studio recently settled a lawsuit involving the president. Paramount Global settled a lawsuit originating from Trump's claim that
60 Minutes unfairly edited a video with
Kamala Harris to make her appear more favorable. The settlement cost the studio $16 million, which will be directed toward Trump's future presidential library and legal fees.
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Following the lawsuit settlement, Paramount Global is seeking approval for its $8 billion merger with Skydance, which would combine the two brands under the new name "Paramount Skydance Corporation." The FCC, led by Republican Brendan Carr, is reviewing the merger, with the decision extended until October.
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Rodney Benson, a professor in New York University's Department of Media, Culture, and Communication, told
Newsweek, "In a future company controlled by Skydance, it's easy to imagine that Stewart's and Colbert's shows could be short-lived. … Whether as a matter of principle or to defend the consistency of their brand and to maintain the loyalty of their audience, neither host is going to suddenly start kowtowing to President Donald Trump's administration if that's the condition of staying."
