David Letterman Critiques CBS News on Podcast

During a recent episode of “The Barbara Gaines Show,” comedian David Letterman did not hold back his criticism of CBS News, describing it as “terrible” and referring to its staff as “idiots.”

Letterman reminisced about CBS News’ storied past, noting its history dating back before World War II, mentioning iconic figures like Ed Murrow who reported from London during the Blitz. He expressed disappointment, saying, “CBS News is in ruins. It’s just gone.” He lamented the loss of the integrity that once defined the network, attributing its decline to those currently in charge.

“It’s really disgusting to witness,” Letterman remarked. He emphasized the far-reaching influence of media, stating that voters are already impacted long before midterm elections, implying the consequences are more immediate and significant.

Bari Weiss, the founder of the Free Press, was appointed as editor-in-chief of CBS News in October, a move that Letterman seemed to criticize indirectly.

Letterman also shared his thoughts on fellow late-night comedians like Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Stephen Colbert. He mentioned Kimmel’s suspension related to comments about a murder suspect, suggesting that Kimmel has made significant impacts on the television landscape.

“Seth Meyers is really good,” Letterman acknowledged, but he conveyed concern about the limited venues for their perspectives. Regarding Colbert, he expressed his disdain for CBS’ decision to cancel Colbert’s show, which was set to conclude in May 2026, calling it “utter despicable.” He insisted that Colbert deserved better treatment from the network.

In a more political vein, Letterman speculated that if a Democratic president behaved similarly to the current Republican one, Kimmel would have critiqued them equally, arguing that Kimmel’s criticisms of Trump stemmed from genuine concerns rather than political motivations.