CBS’s decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has left fans stunned and raised serious questions about the network’s motives. The popular late-night program, known for its sharp political commentary and consistent criticism of former President Donald Trump, will come to an end after its upcoming season.
While CBS claims the cancellation is due to financial reasons, the timing of the decision—just three days after Colbert openly criticized a $16 million legal settlement involving Trump and CBS’s parent company, Paramount—has sparked controversy. According to the Associated Press, two U.S. senators have publicly questioned the real reason behind the show’s cancellation.
Stephen Colbert broke the news to his audience at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. “I learned Wednesday night that, after a decade on air, next year will be our last season,” he said. “It’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
In his Monday night monologue, Colbert reacted strongly to the $16 million settlement between Paramount and Trump. The comedian described the deal as a “big fat bribe,” mocking the legality of the agreement and questioning the company’s integrity. “I don’t know if anything will repair my trust in this company,” Colbert said. “But, just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.”
The settlement in question involves Trump’s lawsuit against Paramount Global, filed over editing choices made during a “60 Minutes” interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Critics allege the settlement was rushed to remove legal obstacles ahead of Paramount’s proposed sale to Skydance Media, which still requires government approval—possibly influenced by Trump’s administration.
Reacting to the news, Trump posted on Truth Social, celebrating the show’s cancellation. “I absolutely love that Colbert was fired,” he wrote, further insulting Colbert and other late-night hosts across ABC, CBS, and NBC.
While CBS insists the move was financially motivated, many view the decision as politically charged, especially given Colbert’s longstanding role as one of the most vocal media critics of Trump. As the show prepares for its final season, questions about media independence and corporate pressure loom large.
