CBS has announced the cancellation of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” with the series set to conclude in May 2026, marking the end of the “Late Show” brand. This news, revealed by Stephen Colbert himself during a taping on Thursday and subsequently confirmed by CBS, has ignited a wave of reactions across the entertainment and political landscapes. CBS justified the decision as a “purely financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” insisting it was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

However, the timing of the cancellation has raised significant eyebrows, leading to widespread speculation of political motivations. This skepticism stems from the fact that the decision came approximately two weeks after Paramount, CBS’s parent company, reached a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump. The lawsuit, previously described by Paramount as “meritless,” involved Trump’s accusations that “60 Minutes” deceptively edited an interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Many commentators suggest the settlement was intended to clear a path for federal approval of Skydance Media’s planned acquisition of Paramount, and that the cancellation of Colbert’s show could be linked to appeasing Trump, a long-standing target of Colbert’s satirical monologues since he began hosting in 2015.

Reactions from public figures have been swift and pointed. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel expressed his support for Colbert, writing on Instagram, “Love you Stephen,” while simultaneously blasting CBS with, “Fuck you and all your Sheldons CBS.” Fellow late-night host Andy Cohen described himself as “stunned” by the news at the Las Culturistas Culture Awards, praising Colbert as a “singular talent” who produces a “brilliant show,” and lamenting the decision as a “sad day for late-night television.”

Political figures also weighed in, openly questioning CBS’s stated reasons. Senator Elizabeth Warren posted on X, “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery. America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.” Senator Adam Schiff, a guest on Colbert’s first episode after the announcement, echoed these concerns, stating, “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”

Beyond the immediate late-night community, media critics and other celebrities voiced their dismay. Andy Richter, Conan O’Brien’s former sidekick, stated, “Stephen Colbert is a profoundly good and deeply talented man with a great staff and an excellent show. They all deserve better.” Former New York Times media reporter Bill Carter, now editor-at-large for Late Nighter, asserted, “The financial side of that business has definitely been under pressure, as CBS release asserts, but if CBS believes it can escape without some serious questions about capitulating to Trump, they are seriously deluded.” CNN anchor Anderson Cooper reflected on Colbert’s character, sharing a past interview and noting, “Stephen Colbert is smart and he is funny, and he has actual conversations with people on his program. I think the thing that so many of us love about Stephen Colbert is that he is at heart an incredibly decent human being.” Actor Ben Stiller expressed his regret, while TV executive producer Mike Schur provocatively connected the cancellation to broader implications for free speech: “When media companies cancel late night shows to appease fascist presidents, America fucking ends.” Schur added, “If you think for one second that this decision has nothing to do with Trump, don’t worry, he will brag about it within the next 24 hours and disabuse you of that notion.”

While the late-night format has indeed seen a decline amidst the rise of digital media, the specific circumstances surrounding “The Late Show’s” termination have fueled intense debate, placing CBS and Paramount under scrutiny regarding their transparency and potential political pressures.