Stephen Colbert Show to be Cancelled Next Spring; An End to a Legacy Thanks to President Trump?

Stephen Colbert announcing the end of Late Show in May of 2026 on his 17th July 2025 monologue

The host of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' announced during his monologue that the show was being cancelled by next spring, leading many to believe that the $16 million settlement with President Trump came with a necessary clause.

The audience and the viewers of the highest-rated Late Show were shocked at the statement by Colbert on Wednesday night's monologue, "next year will be our last season. It's the end of the Late Show on CBS. I am not being replaced, this is all just going away."

The host expressed his disappointment with his parent company Paramount, over the settlement of what Colbert called a "nuisance" lawsuit filed by President Trump to delay the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media. 

The President of the US had filed a lawsuit against Paramount Global for editing the Presidential candidate Kamala Harris's interview with the 60 Minutes show to portray her in a positive light. The lawsuit was originally for $10 billion, which was later increased to $20 billion.

The hate-hate relationship between President Trump and the host was a common matter, as Colbert had called out the President over his illogical comments and actions even during Trump's first presidency. This settlement was called out as a "big fat bribe" by the show host in a previous monologue. 

The Late Show hosted at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York heard echoes of booing at the declaration, with the audience sharing their displeasure at the network's action. The host added that he shared their feelings.

The comedian left no stone unturned when he said, " I don't know if anything - anything - will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I'd say $16 million would help."

The executives at CBS and Paramount called it a "Purely financial decision" and "not related in any way to the show's performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount." Many have come forward to call it another step taken to silence the voices in the media that speak against President Trump. 

Is this the beginning of Trump's plans to bring the fourth pillar of democracy under his leash is to be seen in the days to come, with big networks like ABC and CBS already bowing to his baseless lawsuits by agreeing to settle.

Some of the reactions to the news of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert going off-air next May:

John Oliver, the host of ‘Last Week Tonight’ at HBO:

“I love Stephen, I love his staff. I love that show. It’s incredibly sad. I am partly excited to see what they’re going to do for the next 10 months. It’s terrible, terrible news for the world of comedy. Late-night shows mean a lot to me, not just because I work in them, but because even growing up in England, I would watch Letterman’s show, which of course was Stephen’s show, and think about what a glamorous world that was. So to have got to be on Letterman’s show and Stephen’s show has been always one of the most fun things, so it’s very, very, very sad news. I look forward to seeing what he’s going to do next because that man will not stop.”

 Jimmy Fallon, the host of ‘Tonight Show’ at NBC:

“I’m just as shocked as everyone. Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come. I’m sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30.”

 Seth Meyers, the host of ‘Late Night’ at NBC:

“For as great a comedian and host (as) he is, @stephenathome is an even better person. I’m going to miss having him on TV every night but I’m excited he can no longer use the excuse that he’s ‘too busy to hang out’ with me.”

 Andy Cohen, the host of ‘Watch What Happens Live’ at Bravo:

“It is a very sad day for CBS that they are getting out of the late-night race. I mean, they are turning off the lights after the news.”

 Jimmy Kimmel, the host of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ at ABC:

“Love you, Stephen. F*** you and all your Sheldons, CBS.”

 Donald J. Trump, President of the United States:

“I absolutely love that Colbert’ got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I heard 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.”

P.S.: All images are screen grabs from their respective shows as listed in the article. All credits are due to the original owners of the scene.