Colbert's Late Show Canceled Amid Political Controversy

CBS announced it will cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, officially citing 'purely financial' reasons, though some questioned the move given the show's strong ratings and the recent $16 million settlement with President Trump over a '60 Minutes' lawsuit. The timing of the cancellation, amid the ongoing Paramount-Skydance merger, has fueled speculation about political motivations and concerns over creative freedom. Fellow late-night hosts, including Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers, voiced support for Colbert and criticized CBS's decision on air. David Letterman, the show's original host, posted a montage criticizing CBS in solidarity with Colbert. President Trump publicly celebrated the cancellation and predicted more late-night hosts would be axed, prompting rebuttals from those named. Colbert vowed to continue his pointed satire in the show's final season, while broader media reaction highlighted potential risks to democracy if political pressure influenced the decision.