Stephen Colbert gave a strong and unfiltered response to Donald Trump’s public celebration of The Late Show being canceled, making his feelings very clear. Speaking on Monday night after it was announced that his show would end in May 2026, Colbert directly replied to Trump’s comments with a blunt and defiant message.
The late-night host criticized Trump’s happy reaction, which came soon after CBS revealed the show was ending, by saying, “How dare you, sir? … Go f*** yourself.” This personal and curse-filled reply marked a new phase for Colbert, who immediately declared that his “gloves are off” and he would now speak “unfiltered truth to power.” He explained this new approach by simply stating he had no interest in Donald Trump, per TMZ.
The reason for Trump’s comments came from CBS’s choice to cancel The Late Show, which happened not long after Colbert publicly criticized Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, over a $16 million settlement with Trump. This settlement was tied to the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Colbert had earlier called the settlement a “big, fat bribe,” suggesting a link between his criticism and the network’s decision to cancel the show. Trump’s celebratory remarks seemed like a direct jab, which Colbert confronted without hesitation.
Stephen Colbert has nothing to lose now
Colbert’s forceful speech received widespread support from many well-known figures in Hollywood and late-night TV. The studio audience, which included famous faces like Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, John Oliver, Jon Stewart, Adam Sandler, and Andy Cohen, along with news anchor Anderson Cooper, cheered loudly during his speech. This show of unity made it clear that many people stood behind Colbert after the cancellation news.
One of the most outspoken supporters was Jon Stewart, who, on The Daily Show, not only said how happy he was to see The Late Show rise to the top of late-night TV but also harshly criticized Paramount Global. Stewart connected the cancellation to the $16 million settlement with Trump, calling the payment an “extortion fee.” He rejected CBS’s claim that the cancellation was due to money issues, saying instead that the decision came from the widespread “fear and pre-compliance” he believes controls American institutions in today’s political climate.
Stewart pointed out that instead of standing up to the “vengeful and spiteful actions” of the president, many organizations give in. He argued that much of Paramount’s success came from shows that “say something” and “take a stand,” warning that by trying to avoid controversy, these networks could lose their audience completely.
Other influential people also shared their thoughts on the cancellation and Colbert’s response. Jimmy Fallon, speaking on The Tonight Show, said he did not “like what’s going on one bit.” Ben Stiller, Rachel Zegler, and Severance star Adam Scott were among those who shared their sadness about Colbert leaving late-night TV. Jimmy Kimmel directly blamed CBS for the decision, using strong words to show his anger.
However, not everyone agreed. Dave Portnoy, for example, called Colbert arrogant and said the end of his long-running show was just how capitalism works. These differing opinions show how complicated the cancellation is, mixing business choices, political pressure, and creative freedom. The decision to end The Late Show clearly upset many in the entertainment industry and beyond, leading to a wide range of reactions and keeping the topic in the spotlight.
Published: Jul 24, 2025 04:00 am