Colbert Addresses Cancellation Speculation

Stephen Colbert recently reacted to rumors that his show might have been canceled by CBS for political reasons, calling that perspective “rational,” yet not reflective of his feelings about the situation.

During an interview with GQ, journalist Zach Barron inquired about the concerns raised by Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff over the cancellation of “The Late Show.” CBS had announced in July that it would wrap up the program in May 2026, describing the decision as a financial one.

Colbert responded, “That’s not my job. That’s really just how I see it — as a professional in show business. This is a network choice.”

He acknowledged that many might find the connection between the cancellation and the network’s recent financial settlement with Trump plausible. CBS’s decision involved paying $16 million related to a lawsuit for which its own legal team had previously deemed the claims without merit. Colbert stated, “It’s obvious that such decisions could diminish the network’s reputation.”

“I get why people theorize in that direction,” he said, but maintained his stance, saying, “My side of the street is clean. I’m not going to engage in that speculation for now.” Colbert, who has been a longtime backer of the Democratic Party, also noted that he supported former President Joe Biden in past fundraising efforts.

In a twist, he mentioned that he didn’t get a direct call from CBS about the cancellation; instead, it was relayed through his manager. “My manager told me, they informed him, and then he passed it on to me,” he recounted.

Interestingly, just days after the cancellation news broke, the late-night host also discussed the implications of CBS’s $16 million settlement with Trump, describing it as a significant pay-off.