Critics say axing of ‘The Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert was ‘political’

By Lucia Caporalini

‘The Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert has been cancelled by its network CBS, and will end in May 2026, after 33 years.

Colbert disclosed the network’s decision during Thursday, July 26th’s episode. 

CBS explained in a statement that the reason behind the cancellation of the ‘The Late Show’ was “a purely financial decision”.

The show’s ending is “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,” CBS’s parent company, the statement read. 

However, many believe the cancellation had political reasons. 

Throughout his tenure at the ‘Late Show’, Colbert was consistently critical of US President Donald Trump, with many connecting the dots after the last few days’ events.

‘A big fat bribe’

Just three days before the cancellation’s announcement, Colbert had criticised Paramount, CBS’s parent company, for settling a lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16 million, calling the payout “a big fat bribe.”

Trump claimed that CBS had misleadingly edited a ‘60 Minutes’ interview with US presidential hopeful Kamala Harris to support her campaign. 

CBS had denied the claim.

However, Paramount is currently in the process of merging with production company Skydance Media, an operation that requires approval by the Trump administration.

Critics upheld the notion that CBS paid the compensation to ease the merger.

Colbert is of the same idea. “Paramount knows they could have fought it,” he said on Monday, during his monologue. 

He then noted that the company itself had referred to the lawsuit as “completely without merit.”

“I am offended. I don’t know if anything – anything – will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help,” Colbert continued.

After the announcement, Trump said he “absolutely loved” that Colbert was “fired.”

“I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next,” he wrote on Truth Social on Friday.

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Senators and late night hosts support Colbert

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who showed up as a guest on Thursday night, wrote on X: “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”

Similarly, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote: “CBS cancelled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount…America deserves to know if his show was cancelled for political reasons.”

“I’m just as shocked as everyone,” Jimmy Fallon, host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’, wrote in an Instagram post. 

“Stephen [Colbert] is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come.”

“I’m sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30,” he added.

“For as great a comedian and host he is, [Stephen Colbert] is an even better person.”

“I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I’m excited he can no longer use the excuse that he’s ‘too busy to hang out’ with me,” NBC’s ‘Late Night’ host, Seth Meyers, said on Instagram.

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