A day after CBS confirmed the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, U.S. President Donald Trump responded with glee on his Truth Social account, celebrating the network’s decision and taking aim at other late-night hosts.
“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings,” Trump posted. He didn’t stop there. “I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined — including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show,” he added, taking a shot at NBC host Jimmy Fallon.
CBS, however, stated that the decision to end The Late Show was driven purely by financial factors. The network emphasized that the cancellation had “nothing to do with the show’s performance, content, or any ongoing matters at Paramount.”
Colbert addressed the news on Thursday night’s episode, confirming the end of both his tenure and the iconic Late Show brand. “Next year will be our last season,” he said. “I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.” Colbert, who succeeded David Letterman in 2015, had become a high-profile critic of Donald Trump and a favorite among liberal audiences.
Some viewers have speculated that the timing of the cancellation may have deeper implications. Paramount, CBS’s parent company, recently settled a high-profile $20 billion lawsuit with Trump. The former president had accused the company of airing a biased interview with his 2024 election rival Kamala Harris on 60 Minutes — a claim Paramount labeled “meritless.”
As news of the cancellation spread, Colbert’s peers in the late-night community responded with surprise and support. Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, posted on Instagram: “I’m just as shocked as everyone. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come.” Trump had earlier referred to Fallon as “the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.”
Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel, host of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, responded more simply: “Love you Stephen.”
Colbert’s exit marks the end of an era in late-night television, closing a chapter that combined comedy, politics, and cultural commentary during some of America’s most turbulent years.
