Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann has questioned whether Stephen Colbert’s cancellation by CBS was politically motivated, downplaying the notion that it stemmed from criticism of Trump. “Sorry. That’s not what happened here,” Olbermann stated, suggesting that if that were true, Colbert wouldn’t be with the network until May next year.
On Thursday, CBS announced the termination of “Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” marking the end of the franchise after over 30 years, with no new host planned for after Colbert’s exit.
Previously, the show was hosted by David Letterman from 1992 until 2015.
Olbermann’s remarks were a reaction to posts on social media claiming that Colbert’s firing indicated a shift toward fascism in the U.S. One user shared a photo stating, “We are officially in the fascism stage,” referring to the expulsion of comedians who criticize political figures.
After CBS’s announcement, several left-leaning politicians and journalists expressed outrage, asserting that Colbert’s firing was indeed a political move aimed at placating officials at the White House amid a merger between CBS’s parent company, Paramount, and Skydance.
“The CBS billionaire owner will pay Trump $16 million to settle fraudulent lawsuits while trying to sell the network to Skydance. Stephen Colbert, the most popular late-night host, was let go just days later,” one user commented.
D-Calif. added, “If Paramount and CBS are ending the late show for political reasons, the public deserves transparency.”
CBS has reportedly reached a settlement with Trump after a lawsuit alleging election interference related to a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. A clip from this interview was shared on “Face the Nation” before the full broadcast, though it was critiqued heavily.
The cancellation was attributed to financial issues, with CBS claiming the show had been losing around $40 million a year. Although Colbert ranks atop late-night viewership among network talk show hosts, he still falls short of Fox’s Gutfeld, averaging about 2.4 million viewers per episode. The overall trend in late-night viewership has been declining, alongside advertising revenues.
Colbert took over the show after the highly acclaimed “Colbert Report” on Comedy Central, moving away from the traditional format that appealed broadly, opting instead for a more partisan approach critical of Trump.
When former President Biden won the 2020 election, Colbert famously celebrated by throwing champagne and dancing, expressing his joy and relief over Trump’s departure.
