President Trump made an appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel show on Friday following CBS’s recent announcement about canceling “Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
“I absolutely love Colbert being fired. His talent was, well, less than he thought,” Trump remarked. He shared this opinion on Friday, right after the news broke. “Jimmy Kimmel has heard: He’s even less talented than Colbert!”
Trump also mentioned, “Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them, including that NBC guy who ruined the once-great Tonight Show,” referring to Jimmy Fallon.
CBS explained on Thursday that the decision to cancel the “Late Show” was driven by “financial” reasons, shaking up the late-night landscape.
“This is a purely financial decision against the challenging late-night backdrop,” the network stated. “It’s unrelated to the show’s performance, content, or any other issues at Paramount.”
Critics have responded, questioning CBS and its parent company, Paramount Global, and calling for a deeper look into their decision-making process. Their concerns were heightened after a $16 million settlement with Trump regarding a lawsuit over his interview on “60 Minutes,” tied to a prior election-related discussion with former Vice President Harris.
Earlier this year, both former CBS President Wendy McMahon and veteran “60 Minutes” producer Bill Owens stepped down amidst the turmoil.
Paramount is also facing a merger with Skydance, an entertainment company that requires approval from Trump’s Federal Communications Commission.
Colbert, known for critiquing Trump, was implicated in the settlement which has drawn public support from his fellow late-night hosts since the cancellation broke.
“Love You Stephen. F – ‑ – You and All Your Sheldon CBS,” Kimmel expressed in an Instagram Story.
Fallon lamented, saying, “I thought I’d get through this with him for years to come.” He added, “It’s sad that my family and friends will need to find a new show to watch every night at 11:30. But honestly, he has been a true gentleman and friend for many years. I’m going back to the ‘Colbert Report.’
CNN’s Jake Tapper raised eyebrows about the timing of this announcement.
“It’s clear that President Trump has never shied away from showing his disdain for being the target of jokes, especially those made by Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel,” Tapper noted.
The writers’ guild in both the East and West have taken a step further, alleging that New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Paramount of engaging in “brief bribes” to the Trump administration. This guild includes writers from the “Late Show.”
The “Late Show” is set to conclude its run in May 2026 after nearly 32 years. Colbert took over the hosting duties from David Letterman back in 2015.
