Many notable figures have expressed satisfaction over the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show. President Donald Trump made his feelings clear, stating on Friday, “I love Colbert being fired.” He added that he always thought Colbert’s talent was overvalued and mentioned that he’s heard Jimmy Kimmel might be next, implying that Kimmel has even less talent. Trump also compared Colbert unfavorably to Greg Gutfeld, claiming Gutfeld surpasses them all.
Colbert, known for his criticisms of Trump, took the reins of the CBS program from David Letterman in 2015. His show became a significant platform for Democratic figures. Just last month, he hosted New York City mayoral candidate Zoran Mamdani, who was vying for the Democratic nomination aimed at socialist ideals. Interestingly, on the day of the cancellation announcement, Colbert’s guest was Senator Adam Schiff from California.
The late-night show is set to conclude in May 2026, with CBS explaining that the decision stemmed from financial considerations amid a challenging landscape for late-night television.
Amidst this transition, a corporate merger with Skydance Media has sparked speculation regarding the future of prominent late-night programs, including “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central.
Colbert previously criticized what the Trump administration referred to as “reconciliation,” joking about the pressure he faced from network executives this week.
Internally, CBS staff have expressed outrage over the company’s handling of Trump’s lawsuit settlement, describing it as a “betrayal” of the network’s journalists. Some believe that the new ownership’s inclination to appease Trump could influence late-night hosts like Colbert. There’s even a quip questioning how they might “put pressure” on Colbert if they can’t even find him.
On a related note, Greg Gutfeld’s late-night program has surged in ratings. It attracted 3 million viewers and 365,000 in the coveted 25 to 54 demographic during the second quarter of 2025, securing its position as the highest-rated late-night show. This audience figure surpasses not only other cable programs but also well-known broadcasts like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Tonight Show.”
