Late-night TV just got a seismic shakeup with President Trump tossing verbal grenades at the usual suspects.
According to News Nation, CBS dropped a bombshell on Thursday by canceling "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" for financial reasons, a decision that has ignited debate over potential political undertones, especially with Trump’s gleeful reaction on Friday via Truth Social, where he hinted that ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel might be the next to fall.
The network insists this is purely about the bottom line. "This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," CBS stated in a release. But in a world where dollars and politics often dance too close, skeptics aren’t buying the clean-cut explanation.
Colbert, who took the reins of "The Late Show" from David Letterman back in 2015, has been a sharp critic of Trump over the years. His nearly 32-year franchise will wrap up in May 2026, leaving a void at 11:30 p.m. for countless viewers.
Trump didn’t hold back on Truth Social, reveling in the news with a jab: "I love that Colbert got fired." Let’s be honest—when a showrunner who’s made a career out of mocking conservatives gets the axe, it’s hard not to see a silver lining, though one wonders if the timing is pure coincidence.
Not content with one target, Trump turned his sights on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, predicting, "I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next." If late-night TV is a battlefield, Trump’s picking his next fight, and it’s no secret he’s tired of the progressive punchlines aimed his way.
While dishing out criticism, Trump also tossed a bouquet to Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld, claiming he’s "better than all of them combined." He didn’t spare NBC’s Jimmy Fallon either, accusing him of ruining a once-iconic "Tonight Show." For conservatives weary of the left-leaning monologue machine, Trump’s nod to Gutfeld feels like a refreshing counterpunch.
The late-night arena hasn’t seen a shakeup like this in years. Critics are already raising eyebrows, pointing to a recent $16 million settlement between Trump and CBS over an edited "60 Minutes" interview with former Vice President Harris as a possible factor. That settlement, which Trump argued favored Harris, adds a layer of suspicion to CBS’s motives.
Adding fuel to the fire, Paramount Global—CBS’s parent company—is navigating a merger with Skydance that needs approval from Trump’s Federal Communications Commission. Could this be a corporate chess move to curry favor? The timing, as CNN’s Jake Tapper noted, raises questions about whether Trump’s disdain for late-night mockery played a role.
Tapper himself put it bluntly on air: "Obviously, President Trump has made no secret of his hatred of being mocked." When a network axes a vocal critic amid legal and corporate ties to the administration, it’s not hard to connect the dots, even if the evidence isn’t ironclad.
Colbert hasn’t stayed silent either, blasting CBS over the settlement with Trump. Meanwhile, the Writers Guild of America East and West, representing "The Late Show" writers, have called on New York Attorney General Letitia James to investigate, alleging Paramount might be offering a political “bribe.” That’s a serious charge, and while it’s speculative, it reflects the deep mistrust in today’s media landscape.
Fellow hosts have rallied around Colbert, with Kimmel posting a fiery message on Instagram: "Love you Stephen." Fallon, too, expressed solidarity online, calling Colbert a true friend and lamenting the loss of a nightly companion for fans. Their support shows a camaraderie that transcends network rivalries, even if their politics often lean hard left.
The backdrop to this drama includes resignations at CBS, with former President Wendy McMahon and longtime "60 Minutes" producer Bill Owens stepping down earlier this year amid related controversies. It’s a messy picture, and for those skeptical of corporate narratives, it smells like more than just a budget cut.
For conservatives, the cancellation might feel like a small victory against a cultural tide that often seems stacked against traditional values. Yet, it’s worth asking if this is truly about finances or if political pressure—subtle or not—tipped the scales. The debate over free speech versus accountability in media isn’t going away anytime soon.
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: late-night TV is at a crossroads, and Trump’s commentary ensures the spotlight stays on him. Whether Kimmel’s show is next or this is just fiery rhetoric, the intersection of entertainment and politics remains a contentious arena. Let’s hope the next chapter prioritizes honest discourse over backstage deals.
