STEPHEN Colbert has lashed out at Donald Trump and warned Paramount that “the gloves are off” now that The Late Show is axed.
The comedian joked that he can say whatever he wants on air before his late-night talk show broadcasts its final episode in May.
Stephen Colbert on The Late Show in New York City during the show on July 14, 2025[/caption]
US President Donald Trump speaking before signing the GENIUS Act in Washington DC on July 18, 2025[/caption]
Colbert, The Late Show’s host since 2015, announced last week that CBS is ending the show altogether after its 2025-2026 season.
In the network’s statement about the cancellation, execs said the move was “purely a financial decision.”
The decision came after Puck News reported the show reportedly lost more than $40 million each year on a $100 million budget.
Following Colbert’s announcement, the president celebrated the cancellation in a post on Truth Social and called for more TV shows to be kicked to the curb.
“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired,” Trump wrote on Friday morning.
“His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear 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,” he said, speaking about Jimmy Fallon.
‘THE GLOVES ARE OFF’
Colbert, 61, responded to Trump’s message on Monday morning after opening his show with a sarcastic warning that he will no longer hold his opinions back on the show.
He said of Paramount, “They made one mistake, they left me alive. For the next ten months, the gloves are off.”
Then he turned to an “eloquence cam” and shared his strong words for Trump regarding his celebratory post.
“How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism?” he said, teeing up for his shocking message.
” Go f*** yourself.”
The host said he could finally reveal his true thoughts about the president on the show before jokingly criticizing Trump in a quiet voice.
“I don’t care for him. Doesn’t seem to have the skill set to be president. Just not a good fit, that’s all,” he said calmly.
Paramount and CBS’ full statement
On July 18, 2025, CBS and its parent company, Paramount, announced they would be ending The Late Show, which has been hosted by Stephen Colbert since 2015. Below is the network’s full statement:
“‘THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT’ will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire THE LATE SHOW franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.
This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.
Our admiration, affection and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult. Stephen has taken CBS late night by storm with cutting-edge comedy, a must-watch monologue and interviews with leaders in entertainment, politics, news and newsmakers across all areas. The show has been #1 in late night for nine straight seasons; Stephen’s comedy resonates daily across digital and social media; and the broadcast is a staple of the nation’s zeitgeist.
The accomplishments of THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT are memorable and significant in performance, quality and stature. With much gratitude, we look forward to honoring Stephen and celebrating the show over the next 10 months alongside its millions of fans and viewers.”
Source: Paramount
He also called himself a “martyr” in response to Trump calling for Kimmel’s show to be axed next.
“Absolutely not. Kimmel, I am the martyr,” Colbert said.
“There’s only room for one on this cross. And the view is fantastic from up here. I can see your house!”
It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
Stephen Colbert
Colbert also questioned the truth behind the network blaming the show’s cancellation on money.
“How could it be a purely financial decision if The Late Show’s is number one in ratings?” he asked.
“A lot of folks are asking that question, mainly my staff’s parents and spouses.”
Colbert said he didn’t believe the show was losing that much money.
“I could see us losing $24 million but where would Paramount have possibly spent the other $16 million? Oh…” he quipped, referencing Paramount’s recent settlement with Trump.
‘BIG FAT BRIBE’
Colbert’s firing came just three days after he slammed CBS execs for taking a “big fat bribe” by settling a massive lawsuit with Trump.
Two weeks earlier, Paramount Global announced it agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle his lawsuit accusing them of deceptively editing a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris.
On his July 14 show, Colbert suggested Paramount agreed to the payout so they could be on good terms with the president to get his approval for a future merger.
“As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended, and I don’t know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company,” Colbert joked in the episode’s opening monologue.
“But just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.”
He added, “Paramount knows they could have easily fought it because in their own words, the lawsuit was ‘completely without merit.’”
“And keep in mind, Paramount produced ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beast.’ They know ‘completely without merit,’” he joked.
Current Late-Night Shows
Late-night shows have become a staple on American television, filled with humorous takes on news, interviews with guests, and music performances.
- Jimmy Kimmel Live, ABC
- Late Night with Seth Meyers, NBC
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, NBC
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CBS
- After Midnight, CBS
- Watch What Happens Live, Bravo
- The Daily Show, Comedy Central
- Real Time with Bill Maher, HBO
Democrats have suggested that the cancellation was related to Paramount’s settlement with Trump.
“America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons,” Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on X.
Colbert will broadcast his show’s final episode in May 2026.
“It is a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it,” he said when he announced the cancellation on Thursday.
When the audience booed, he responded, “Yeah, I share your feelings.
“It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
Colbert announcing his show has been canceled on July 17[/caption]
