CBS is canceling “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”, a late-night program that has played host to an array of political commentary. This decision, described as “financial”, comes amidst a backdrop of declining ratings. The final show is slated for next May, marking the conclusion of Stephen Colbert’s tenure as one of the most persistent late-night critics of President Donald Trump.
President Trump responded to the cancellation with a post on Truth Social, exhibiting a sense of satisfaction. He wrote, “I love that Colbert got fired,” and speculated on the future of Jimmy Kimmel, another late-night host known for his political humor. In the same post, Trump expressed his preference for Greg Gutfeld over his late-night counterparts, including the host of NBC’s Tonight Show.
Before the announcement of the show’s cancellation, Colbert criticized a settlement between President Trump and Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS. The settlement pertained to what Colbert described as “deceptive editing” of an interview with Kamala Harris on “60 Minutes” during the 2024 presidential election. Colbert, in his monologue, framed the deal as a “big fat bribe,” expressing his offense.
Paramount and CBS executives have firmly stated that the cancellation “is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.” They further clarified that it “is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount.”
This development falls in line with a broader trend facing late-night television, struggling to maintain ratings in an increasingly competitive media landscape. The significance of this should not be overlooked. It raises important questions about the future of late-night television and its role as a platform for political commentary.