CBS Is Ending ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’ — And Trump Might Be Part of the Reason, Despite What the Network Says

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According to recent announcements from CBS, Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” is set to conclude in May 2026. This decision, they clarified, stems from financial reasons rather than any personal issues.

CBS officials announced that they view Stephen Colbert as indispensable and have decided to conclude ‘The Late Show’ franchise in May 2026. We are honored that Stephen chose CBS as his television home. His tenure and the program will be fondly remembered among the legends of late-night TV. This decision is purely a financial move, made amidst difficulties in the late-night sector. It has nothing to do with the show’s ratings, content, or any other issues within Paramount.

On Wednesday evening, Colbert discovered the network’s decision regarding the position. During Thursday’s recording, he informed his viewers about the situation. “What a great job,” he quipped good-naturedly, “I wish someone else were getting it.” As the crowd in the audience expressed their displeasure, he went on to say, “Yes, I understand your feelings. It’s not just our show ending, but also ‘The Late Show’ on CBS. I’m not being replaced; this is simply going away.

Despite the cancellation, some within the industry are doubting if financial reasons were the sole cause. In fact, CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, is currently undergoing acquisition by Skydance Media, headed by David Ellison.

It’s been noted in various sources such as Variety and Deadline that Ellison appears to have a personal interest in politics and seems to favor Donald Trump. This has sparked apprehension given that Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, two well-known critics of Trump from the late-night circuit on Comedy Central (which is also under Paramount’s ownership), frequently use their shows to criticize Trump’s policies, comments, and impact on U.S. politics by means of satire and critique.

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff expressed his thoughts on social media following his appearance on “The Late Show.” He stated, “If ‘The Late Show’ was discontinued for political reasons, the public should be informed and deserves better alternatives.” Some viewers and industry experts are speculating if Colbert’s political commentary may have influenced the decision to halt the show.

Recently wrapped up a discussion with Stephen Colbert, who sadly shared that his show has been discontinued. If the termination of The Late Show is due to political motives, it’s crucial for the audience to be informed about it. They deserve transparency and a superior alternative as well.

— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 17, 2025

The unexpected decision by CBS to conclude a popular show has left industry insiders puzzled. Typically, networks reveal the end of significant series during their spring meetings with advertisers, known as “upfronts.” This strategy allows them to promote the final season and secure higher advertising rates, similar to NBC when Johnny Carson announced his retirement. However, CBS opted against this approach this time around, leading many to ponder if there are hidden factors at play.

Ever since stepping into the role for “The Late Show” in 2015, Stephen Colbert has experienced an intricate professional path. Initially, he started off playing a fictional right-wing commentator on Comedy Central.

Upon transitioning to CBS, he found it necessary to redefine himself authentically. Initially, his shows received a mix of positive and negative feedback, leading some to question if he was capable of succeeding in the role once filled by David Letterman.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, however, Colbert shifted his tone. On election night when Donald Trump emerged victorious, Colbert resonated with viewers through incisive political commentary. Subsequently, he became more politically direct, frequently criticizing Trump and amassing a devoted audience who admired his style.

Despite consistently being the top-rated program on late-night television, CBS unexpectedly chose to discontinue “The Late Show.” It remains uncertain if the network views this decision solely as a financial maneuver, or if the emergence of fresh leadership at Skydance is prompting changes from behind the curtains.

Currently, networks such as NBC continue to invest in late-night programming. They’re maintaining the popular “Saturday Night Live” and developing fresh projects alongside Jimmy Fallon, one of which is a promotional-centric show titled “On Brand.

It’s unclear what CBS intends to do following Stephen Colbert’s departure, as speculation swirls. Currently, they are airing repeats of Byron Allen’s comedy roundtable show in the time slot vacated by canceling “After Midnight.” Whether they will appoint a new host, develop a fresh program, or abandon late-night programming altogether after Colbert’s exit has yet to be revealed.

At present, CBS maintains that this situation has nothing to do with politics. However, considering the coincidental timing of the company’s acquisition and Colbert’s vocal criticisms of Trump, some people are skeptical about this claim.

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2025-07-18 10:44