In the summer of 2025, rumors swept across social media platforms claiming that MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow had quietly launched a brand-new newsroom, joined by CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert and former MSNBC host Joy Reid. The supposed project was described as a daring venture designed to break through media censorship and expose corruption, free from corporate control. Some posts even called it a “news revolution,” fueling speculation about a major shakeup in the American media landscape.

How the Rumor Started

The rumor gained traction after CBS announced the upcoming cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May 2026 and MSNBC abruptly ended Joy Reid’s show earlier in the year. Social media users shared AI-generated images and videos featuring Maddow and Colbert, while Facebook posts with hundreds of thousands of views directed users to ad-filled blogs touting the story. The rumor quickly spread to platforms like Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and X.

A typical Facebook post read:
“BREAKING: Rachel Maddow has quietly launched a brand-new newsroom unlike anything MSNBC ever imagined — a daring project aimed at breaking through media censorship and exposing corruption, free from anyone’s control. And her partners? None other than Stephen Colbert and Joy Reid — together they’ve officially kicked off what many are calling a news revolution.”

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No Evidence from Credible Sources

Despite the widespread excitement, searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google, and Yahoo revealed no credible news outlets reporting on Maddow, Colbert, and Reid launching a new newsroom together. If such a major development were true, it would have been widely covered by mainstream media.

Instead, many of the blogs promoting the rumor appeared to be created primarily for advertising revenue, often managed from overseas. AI-generated images and stories were commonly used to bolster the narrative, with some text detection tools confirming heavy AI involvement in the content.

Maddow Responds Directly

Rachel Maddow herself addressed the rumor during a July 2025 broadcast of “The Rachel Maddow Show.” She stated unequivocally,
“I have not founded my own news network, nor am I planning to. Why would I do that, when I work at MSNBC?”
Maddow also discussed the proliferation of fake AI-generated images, including false claims about her involvement in Texas flood relief efforts.

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Snopes and Yahoo News previously debunked similar rumors about Maddow starting her own network, and noted that newer versions of the rumor simply added Colbert and Reid to the mix.

AI-Generated Misinformation

Experts warn that AI detection software is not foolproof, but the pattern of AI-generated text and images is clear in these viral stories. MIT Sloan Teaching & Learning Technologies reported in 2023 that AI detectors often have high error rates, but the use of AI to create misleading online content is increasingly common.

The Real Story: Network Shakeups

While Maddow continues her work at MSNBC, both Stephen Colbert and Joy Reid have faced significant career changes. CBS confirmed the cancellation of Colbert’s “Late Show,” scheduled to end in May 2026. Joy Reid’s show was canceled by MSNBC in February 2025 amid broader network changes. These developments may have fueled speculation and conspiracy theories about the trio joining forces for a new venture.

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Despite persistent rumors and viral posts, there is no evidence that Rachel Maddow, Stephen Colbert, and Joy Reid are launching a new independent newsroom. Maddow has publicly denied the claims, and no credible news outlet has reported on such a project. The story appears to be another example of AI-powered misinformation designed to generate clicks and ad revenue, rather than a genuine media revolution.

As always, readers should exercise caution and verify information with reputable sources before sharing or believing sensational online rumors.