John Oliver Forgives Nearly $15 Million in Debt for a Last Week Tonight Segment About Debt Buying

John Oliver forgave nearly $15 million in medical debt during a Last Week Tonight segment about debt buying. With a steep discount, Oliver purchased a total of $14,922, 261.76 in debt for less than $60,000 to show how little regulation there is in the debt buying industry.

Besides forgiving the debt because it was, “obviously the right thing to do,” Oliver also admitted an ulterior motive of wanting to stage, “the largest one-time giveaway in television show history,” shattering the previous record set when Oprah Winfrey famously gave everyone in her audience a car.