In a whirlwind of outrage laced with his signature humor, Stephen Colbert addressed the shocking cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on the August 4, 2025, episode, delivering a biting monologue that left audiences roaring and rallying behind him. The CBS mainstay, set to end in May 2026, saw Colbert channel his anger and disappointment into a quip that’s already iconic: “This is worse than fascism. This is mustache-ism!” The line, poking fun at corporate overreach, has ignited a firestorm of support from fans and late-night peers like Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and David Letterman, who’ve joined the fray with tributes and jabs at CBS, amplifying the uproar over the network’s decision.

Colbert’s monologue, delivered with his trademark blend of satire and sincerity, tackled CBS’s claim that financial pressures drove the cancellation, a rationale widely questioned amid Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump. “They say it’s about money, but let’s be real—this is about making themselves so bland they dodge the radar,” Colbert quipped, before landing the viral zinger: “Here’s the thing: fascism might take your freedom, but mustache-ism takes your soul—and your time slot!” The audience erupted, and social media exploded, with #MustacheIsm and #SaveColbert trending globally on X. One fan tweeted, “Colbert’s calling out CBS with humor and heart. Mustache-ism is my new favorite term!”

The cancellation, announced on July 17, 2025, has been steeped in controversy, with many linking it to Paramount’s settlement over a 2024 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which Trump deemed defamatory. Colbert, who previously called the settlement a “big fat bribe,” didn’t shy away from doubling down, accusing CBS of sacrificing editorial integrity to appease political forces. His defiance, wrapped in humor, resonated deeply, with fans flooding X with clips of the monologue. One user posted a meme of Colbert sporting a cartoonish mustache, captioned, “Fighting CBS’s mustache-ism one joke at a time!” Etsy sellers jumped in, offering T-shirts and mugs with “This Is Mustache-Ism!” emblazoned alongside Colbert’s grinning face.

Colbert’s late-night peers rallied to his defense, amplifying the outcry. Jimmy Fallon, host of The Tonight Show, praised Colbert on air, saying, “Stephen’s a genius who makes us all better. CBS is losing a legend, but he’ll never lose his voice.” Jimmy Kimmel, on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, took a sharper tone: “Canceling Colbert’s show is like canceling pizza—it’s a crime against humanity. We’re with you, Stephen.” David Letterman, Colbert’s predecessor at The Late Show, delivered the most biting jab during a rare podcast appearance: “You can’t spell CBS without BS. They’re throwing away a national treasure.” Letterman’s quip went viral, with fans creating graphics of “CBS = BS” and sharing clips of his and Colbert’s iconic handovers in 2015.

The support from Fallon, Kimmel, and Letterman underscores the tight-knit late-night community, which has faced mounting pressures from declining ad revenue and political scrutiny. The Late Show, with 2.4 million nightly viewers, was a ratings leader, making its cancellation a lightning rod for debate. Fans launched petitions on Change.org, one nearing 75,000 signatures by August 6, urging CBS to reconsider. “Colbert’s humor is a lifeline in these times,” one supporter wrote on a forum. “Mustache-ism is the perfect way to call out this nonsense!” Another X post read, “Fallon, Kimmel, and Letterman standing up for Stephen shows late-night’s still got fight.”

Colbert’s upcoming guest role in CBS’s Elsbeth as fictional talk show host Scotty Bristol adds a layer of irony. Set to air in October 2025, the cameo—filmed before the cancellation—was teased as a playful nod to his real-life persona. Fans see it as a defiant middle finger to CBS, with one tweeting, “They cancel his show, but Stephen’s still stealing the spotlight on Elsbeth. That’s our guy!” The role has sparked speculation about his future, with some fans dreaming of a streaming revival or a return to Comedy Central, where he honed his craft on The Colbert Report.

The broader context of Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, led by Trump ally David Ellison, has fueled accusations of corporate cowardice. Resignations from CBS News executives like Bill Owens and Wendy McMahon highlight the internal fallout, while Jon Stewart’s earlier critique of Paramount’s “capitulation” to Trump has kept the issue alive. Colbert’s “mustache-ism” jab, blending humor with biting truth, has become a rallying cry for fans worried about media independence. “Stephen’s not just fighting for his show—he’s fighting for free speech,” one X user wrote, sharing a fan-made video of his best Trump takedowns.

Liverpool FC, a team Colbert passionately supports, joined the tributes, posting, “Stephen’s wit and heart are pure Red. Keep fighting, mate. YNWA.” The Kop plans a stadium banner for their next match, reading “Colbert: No Mustache-Ism Allowed.” As The Late Show’s final months approach, fans continue to flood social media with montages of Colbert’s monologues, from his COVID-era home shows to his razor-sharp political satire. The outpouring, coupled with support from late-night titans, ensures that Colbert’s legacy endures. With “mustache-ism” now a cultural catchphrase, his battle against corporate overreach proves that even in the face of cancellation, Stephen Colbert’s voice remains louder than ever.