On July 17, 2025, CBS announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would conclude its run in May 2026, marking the end of a storied franchise that has been a staple of late-night television since 1993. The decision sent shockwaves through Hollywood, political circles, and social media, igniting a firestorm of reactions from celebrities, politicians, and fans. The announcement came just days after Stephen Colbert, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, publicly criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Trump, prompting speculation about the motives behind the cancellation. Fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel led the charge, blasting CBS with a pointed Instagram Stories post: “Love you Stephen. F*** you and all your Sheldons CBS.” This article explores the context, reactions, and broader implications of this controversial decision.

The Announcement and Immediate Backlash

Stephen Colbert, who has hosted The Late Show since 2015, shared the news during a taping on July 17, revealing he had learned of the cancellation just the previous night. “Next year will be our last season,” he told the audience at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater, adding, “It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.” The audience responded with boos and groans, to which Colbert quipped, “Yeah, I share your feelings.” Despite the somber news, he expressed gratitude to CBS, calling them “great partners” and praising the opportunity to host in the iconic theater.

The announcement triggered an immediate outpouring of support for Colbert and condemnation of CBS. Jimmy Kimmel, host of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!, posted a clip of Colbert’s announcement on Instagram Stories, writing, “Love you Stephen. F*** you and all your Sheldons CBS,” a jab at CBS’s reliance on sitcoms like The Big Bang Theory and its spinoff Young Sheldon. Other late-night hosts, including Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers, also voiced their dismay. Fallon, host of NBC’s The Tonight Show, wrote, “I’m just as shocked as everyone. Stephen 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.” Meyers, meanwhile, praised Colbert’s character, noting, “For as great a comedian and host as he is, @stephenathome is an even better person.”

Celebrities like Jon Batiste, Judd Apatow, Katie Couric, and Rachel Zegler also took to social media to express their sadness and frustration. Batiste called Colbert “the greatest to ever do it,” while Apatow wrote, “My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless.” Zegler added, “I am extremely sad. I adore you, Stephen,” and Couric demanded “more information,” stating, “We love you.” Adam Scott, star of Severance, was more direct, calling the decision “absolute bulls***” and pledging to support the show’s final 10 months.

Political Speculation and Trump’s Involvement

The timing of the cancellation raised eyebrows, particularly because it came just three days after Colbert’s July 14 monologue, in which he sharply criticized Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement with President Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential campaign, which Trump claimed was deceptively edited to favor her. Colbert called the settlement a “big fat bribe,” suggesting it was a move to curry favor with the Trump administration as Paramount seeks regulatory approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.

Democratic politicians, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff, quickly seized on this connection. Warren posted on X, “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump — a deal that looks like bribery. America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.” Schiff echoed this sentiment, writing, “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know.” Former CNN reporter Jim Acosta expressed skepticism about CBS’s claim that the decision was purely financial, posting a sarcastic “Sure, Jan” GIF.

Trump himself weighed in on Truth Social, gloating, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!” He also praised Fox News host Greg Gutfeld, whose show has recently surpassed late-night competitors in ratings, claiming, “Gutfeld is better than all of them combined.” These comments fueled speculation that CBS’s decision might be influenced by political pressures, especially given Paramount’s need for Trump administration approval for its merger.

CBS’s Official Stance and Financial Context

CBS and Paramount executives, including Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach, and CBS Studios president David Stapf, issued a joint statement describing the cancellation as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.” They emphasized that the move was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” The statement praised Colbert as “irreplaceable” and announced that the Late Show franchise, which began with David Letterman in 1993, would be retired entirely after Colbert’s departure.

Despite these assurances, CBS staffers expressed skepticism. Multiple network sources told The Independent that they doubted the financial rationale, with one senior staffer stating, “No one at the network is buying that it’s a financial decision.” Another insider noted that while the show was expensive to produce, the abrupt announcement felt suspicious, especially given its strong ratings. According to Nielsen data, The Late Show averaged 2.417 million viewers across 41 episodes in 2025, leading its time slot among broadcasters.

The broader context of late-night television’s decline supports CBS’s financial argument to some extent. The genre has struggled with dwindling ad revenues and high production costs in the streaming era, as younger audiences gravitate toward platforms like Netflix and YouTube. CBS previously ended The Late Late Show with James Corden in 2023, citing its unprofitability, and other networks have made similar cuts. For example, NBC eliminated the band on Seth Meyers’ show and reduced The Tonight Show to four nights a week. Former CNN media analyst Brian Stelter acknowledged this reality, noting that The Late Late Show had been unprofitable, and suggested that The Late Show was likely “bleeding red ink.”

The Broader Implications for Late-Night Television

The cancellation of The Late Show raises questions about the future of late-night television on broadcast networks. The genre, once dominated by figures like Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, has faced increasing challenges as viewing habits shift. Colbert, Kimmel, and Fallon—representing CBS, ABC, and NBC, respectively—have been the last major network players in the 11:35 p.m. slot, but their audiences have declined over the past five years. In 2023 and 2024, Colbert led with 2.6 million viewers, followed by Kimmel with 1.82 million and Fallon with 1.43 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Meanwhile, Fox News’s Gutfeld! has surged to 3 million viewers, capitalizing on a conservative audience.

Critics argue that the political polarization of late-night hosts like Colbert and Kimmel, who have leaned heavily into anti-Trump commentary, may have alienated portions of their audience. The Western Journal noted that the comedy of Carson and Leno was less political, aiming to entertain diverse viewers rather than preach autodidacte. Some X users echoed this sentiment, with one calling Colbert a “leftist shill” whose “TDS” (Trump Derangement Syndrome) turned off viewers. Others, however, praised Colbert’s sharp wit and cultural impact, pointing to his Emmy-nominated work and loyal fanbase.

The Political and Cultural Divide

The cancellation has exposed deep political divides. Progressive commentators, such as Jemele Hill and Ben Collins, speculated that CBS was “capitulating” to Trump, with Collins calling it an attempt to “appease a dictator.” On the other hand, conservative voices celebrated the decision, with some X users mocking Kimmel’s reaction as “the tears of a leftist clown” and praising CBS for “removing radical leftish scum.” These polarized responses highlight the challenges facing late-night hosts in an era of fractured audiences.

What’s Next for Colbert and Late-Night TV?

Colbert’s future remains uncertain, but his supporters are optimistic. His previous success on The Colbert Report and his ability to conduct thoughtful interviews, such as with Nick Cave and Anderson Cooper, suggest he could pivot to new platforms, such as streaming or podcasts. Meanwhile, the fate of late-night television hangs in the balance. With Kimmel’s contract set to expire in 2026 and no clear replacement for Colbert, CBS’s exit from the 11:35 p.m. slot could signal a broader retreat from the genre.

The cancellation of The Late Show is a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over media, politics, and free speech. Whether driven by financial pressures or political motives, the decision has sparked a fierce backlash and raised questions about the role of satire in a polarized society. As Colbert prepares for his final season, his supporters, from Kimmel to Warren, are rallying to ensure his voice remains heard.