CBS has announced the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," set to end in May 2026, attributing the decision to financial reasons amid significant backlash and speculation about political motivations related to President Donald Trump.
Colbert, known for his sharp criticism of Trump, openly condemned CBS’s parent company for settling a lawsuit with the former president, calling it a "big fat bribe," which raises questions about potential retaliation behind the show's cancellation.
The response from the late-night community has been overwhelmingly supportive of Colbert, with notable figures like Jon Stewart and Jimmy Kimmel decrying CBS's decision as an affront to artistic freedom and a sign of political censorship in media.
Following the cancellation announcement, Colbert humorously addressed the situation on his show, using wit to confront the irony of "cancel culture" while delivering pointed remarks to Trump.
The abrupt end of a beloved show has ignited intense public outrage and concerns about the direction of late-night television, reflecting a broader trend of programming cutbacks and fears of diminished diverse voices in media.
Trump's commentary during the fallout, stating he "loves" Colbert's firing and suggesting other late-night hosts may be next, adds a contentious political layer to the discourse surrounding the show's demise.