THE TRUTH BEHIND THE CLAIM: Maddow, Colbert, and Kimmel Did Not “Walk Away From the System” to Launch a New Newsroom

Category: Media Fact-Check & Misinformation Trends
Date: October 22, 2025

🎭 The “Media Earthquake” That Never Happened

Earlier this September, social media exploded with a sensational headline:

“Maddow, Colbert, and Kimmel Just Walked Away From the System — And Built a Newsroom That Has Networks Shaking.”

According to the viral post, three of America’s most recognizable television figures — Rachel Maddow (MSNBC), Stephen Colbert (CBS), and Jimmy Kimmel (ABC) — had supposedly “abandoned the corporate media system” to form an independent newsroom, free from advertisers and editorial control.

The story spread rapidly across Facebook and other platforms, amassing millions of views. Many called it “the rebirth of real journalism.”

But the truth tells a very different story.

🔍 Fact-Check: The Claim Is False

Independent fact-checking organization Lead Stories traced the origin of the viral post to a satirical or deceptive website that has repeatedly published false political stories under the label “opinion” or “satire.”

“The claim that Rachel Maddow, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel left their networks to launch an independent newsroom called ‘The Independent Desk’ is false.”
— Lead Stories, September 2025

Lead Stories found no official confirmation from MSNBC, CBS, or ABC.
There are no press releases, legal filings, or verified posts from Maddow, Colbert, or Kimmel announcing any such collaboration.

📡 Media Industry Reaction

Veteran journalists from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety confirmed that no such project has been announced or discussed within the entertainment industry.

An NBC News reporter commented:

“This is a textbook case of misinformation exploiting celebrity credibility to gain viral traction.”

All three individuals continue their normal broadcasting schedules:

Rachel Maddow still hosts The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC every Monday night.

Stephen Colbert remains the host of The Late Show on CBS.

Jimmy Kimmel continues his nightly Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC.

There’s no sign whatsoever that they’ve “walked away from the system.”

⚠️ Why Fake Stories Like This Spread So Easily

Media analysts point to three major factors fueling this kind of misinformation:

Familiar names build false trust – Using celebrity credibility makes a fake story feel authentic.

Half-truth narrative style – The writing mimics journalistic tone while embedding anti–mainstream rhetoric.

Social media algorithms – Platforms amplify polarizing, emotional content, helping falsehoods go viral faster than facts.

🧭 Conclusion: There Is No “Independent Desk”

After reviewing verified sources, it’s clear:

❌ There is no evidence Maddow, Colbert, or Kimmel have left their respective networks.
❌ There is no newsroom called “The Independent Desk.”
✅ The story is a fabricated hoax, exploiting recognizable media figures to draw attention and engagement.

📢 A Message to Readers

In the age of digital noise, verifying before sharing is more important than ever.
Stories claiming celebrities have “left the system” or “launched the truth network” are often designed to manipulate public sentiment, not inform it.

Always check the source, look for verification, and rely on trusted news outlets with transparent editorial standards.