In a jaw-dropping act of defiance that’s rocking elite circles, Stephen Colbert—the sharp-tongued late-night host known for skewering power—has quietly dropped $12 million of his own money to buy prime digital billboard space across Times Square, forcing millions to confront the explosive Epstein survivor testimonies that layers of influence buried for years.T

Stephen Colbert just spent $12 million to force Times Square to confront the story power buried years ago.

In a jaw-dropping escalation of his advocacy, Stephen Colbert has reportedly invested $12 million of his personal fortune to secure exclusive New Year’s Eve advertising space across Times Square’s iconic billboards and screens. On December 31, 2025, as the ball dropped welcoming 2026, millions in the crowd and billions watching worldwide were confronted with powerful visuals: excerpts from Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir “Nobody’s Girl,” survivor testimonies, and calls for full Epstein file transparency.

Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2025, detailed in her October 2025 bestseller the grooming, abuse, and elite complicity she endured from age 16. Her words—describing fears of dying a “sex slave” and encounters with influential figures—have fueled demands amid the Epstein Files Transparency Act’s mandated releases.

Passed unanimously in November 2025 and signed by President Trump, the Act required DOJ disclosure by mid-December. Yet into January 2026, only a fraction—less than 1% of millions of documents—has emerged, with heavy redactions criticized as shielding the powerful. Ongoing batches include photos, logs, and emails, but delays persist.

Colbert’s bold display bypassed broadcast caution, flashing Giuffre’s quotes like “I believed that I might die a sex slave” alongside demands: “Release the Files. Honor the Survivors.” No jokes, no satire—just unflinching truth. Sources say Colbert, moved by prior monologues amplifying victims, aimed to make silence impossible in America’s most visible space.

This act risks backlash but aligns with growing calls from advocates, celebrities, and bipartisan lawmakers. As 2026 dawns, Colbert ensures Giuffre’s buried story rises, forcing a nation to reckon with power’s long-protected shadows.