Stephen Colbert Addresses Rumors Trump Canceled The Late Show

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Stephen Colbert addressed rumors that Donald Trump was behind the cancellation of The Late Show. He explained what he believes happened, clarifying that CBS cancelled the show in July 2025 due to financial reasons. Despite the cancellation, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is still airing and will conclude with its final episode in May 2026.

Soon after Colbert criticized Paramount, CBS’s parent company, for a $16 million settlement with Trump related to a lawsuit against 60 Minutes, rumors started that President Trump had a hand in the show’s cancellation. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff also suggested the decision was politically motivated.

In an interview with GQ, Stephen Colbert acknowledged the possibility that the cancellation of The Late Show might seem politically driven. He suggested that Paramount’s recent legal settlement could be an effort to improve relations with Donald Trump. However, Colbert also stated he prefers not to speculate, as he wants to maintain a good relationship with CBS and Paramount during the show’s final months.

That’s not how I see it. As someone who works in television, I recognize this was a decision made by the network. I understand why people are upset that CBS – or its parent company, though I don’t know exactly who made the call, and likely never will – paid $16 million to the President to settle a lawsuit their own legal team said had no basis. It’s obvious this damages the network’s, the corporation’s, and the news division’s reputation. I don’t understand why anyone would make such a decision except to try and gain favor with one person.

It’s understandable why people might suspect my involvement, given that CBS was responsible for something similar in the past. However, I had nothing to do with it and have no desire to get involved in any of that drama. It’s not my concern, and people are free to believe what they want. While I have my reasons for leaving the show, I’d need a very compelling reason – a clear benefit for me and a positive working relationship with the network – to even consider engaging with those speculations over the next nine months.

Colbert also mentioned he has a very good relationship with CBS, which made the cancellation of his show feel so abrupt. He expressed gratitude for the opportunities CBS has given him and emphasized that he remains close with the network even as his show nears its conclusion.

The suddenness of this was really shocking, especially since we usually have some warning with budgets and cuts. That’s why I was so surprised, and why I immediately shared my reaction on air – I couldn’t keep it to myself. They’ve always been fantastic partners and incredibly supportive.

Stephen Colbert’s show isn’t the only late-night program facing controversy with the current administration. Jimmy Kimmel Live! was temporarily suspended after Jimmy Kimmel made contentious statements regarding a potential assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk and incorrectly reported information about the alleged shooter, Tyler James Robinson. The show has since returned to ABC after a one-week hiatus.

Everything publicly known suggests The Late Show ended because of money problems. But, the timing of the cancellation, along with the friendly relationship between Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison and Donald Trump, has fueled a lot of speculation. Stephen Colbert himself isn’t offering any theories, pointing out that he still has many months left on his contract to produce more episodes.

Because CBS says the decision to end The Late Show is about money, it’s unlikely we’ll get a clearer explanation. There’s no proof the show was canceled due to political reasons, so for now, it’s just guesswork. What is clear is that Stephen Colbert wants to leave the show on good terms with CBS and its parent company.

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2025-11-03 18:58