Trump Celebrates Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Cancellation
Former President Gloats Over CBS Decision, Takes Aim at Late-Night Rivals
Donald Trump has reacted with apparent glee to CBS’s announcement that *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* will conclude in May 2026, using the news to criticize other late-night hosts.
Trump’s Scathing Social Media Attack
On his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed delight at the impending end of the program, stating, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired.” He continued his broadside, asserting that Colbert‘s talent was “even less than his ratings.”
“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.”
—Donald Trump
Trump also targeted ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel and NBC’s Jimmy Fallon, suggesting they too are on the chopping block and lack talent, while praising Fox News host Greg Gutfeld.
Industry Shock and Financial Realities
CBS delivered a surprise to the entertainment world Thursday by revealing that *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* would cease production at the close of the 2025-26 broadcast season. This decision arrives as CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, navigates a potential merger with Skydance.
While CBS claims the cancellation is “purely a financial decision” driven by a shrinking linear TV market, the timing has raised eyebrows. Broadcast late-night advertising revenue has seen a significant decline, dropping by 50% over the past seven years, according to *The New York Times* (The New York Times, July 2025).
Colbert Criticized Paramount’s Merger Deal
The announcement follows Colbert‘s recent criticism of a $16 million settlement reached between CBS and Donald Trump, which he characterized as a “big fat bribe.” This settlement, related to a lawsuit over a *60 Minutes* interview featuring Kamala Harris, is seen by some as potentially smoothing the path for Paramount’s merger approval by the FCC.
In a joint statement, CBS leadership asserted that Stephen Colbert is “irreplaceable” and that retiring the franchise is not tied to the show’s performance or content. However, analysis suggests the optics surrounding the decision are complex and potentially damaging.
Late-Night Hosts React
Jimmy Kimmel also posted his reaction on Instagram, expressing solidarity with Colbert: “Love you Stephen. F–k you and all your Sheldons CBS.”
