Paramount Cancels Colbert Amid Trump Settlement, FCC Merger Review

CNN anchor Jake Tapper sharply criticized Paramount Global, CBS's parent company, for canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," alleging the decision was politically motivated to appease President Donald Trump. Tapper described Paramount as being in a "bend-the-knee phase" amid its $16 million legal settlement with Trump over a 2024 "60 Minutes" interview and its pursuit of a merger with Skydance, requiring Trump administration approval. Despite CBS's claim that the cancellation was a financial decision unrelated to the show's performance, Tapper and media experts suggest the timing indicates political pressure, especially since Colbert's ratings remained strong. Colbert himself had mocked the settlement as a "big fat bribe," which coincided closely with the cancellation announcement. President Trump celebrated the cancellation on social media, deriding Colbert's talent and predicting other late-night hosts might follow. The controversy has raised concerns about political influence on media decisions and corporate compliance with the current administration's interests.