Trump attributes Colbert's dismissal to his own actions
In a recent post on his online platform, Truth Social, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his delight over the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." Trump suggested that Colbert's poor ratings were the reason for his firing, and he even hinted that Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon might face the same fate in the entertainment industry.
However, CBS, the network that airs "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," has denied any financial troubles being the reason for the show's cancellation. According to the network, the decision is part of a plan to retire the entire "Late Show" franchise in May 2026, purely for economic reasons and the challenging environment in late-night television.
After the announcement, Colbert responded on air with a mix of resignation and defiance, intensifying his political satire, especially targeting topics like Epstein, Trump, and other current controversies. In response to Trump's statement, Colbert referred to Trump as a "talentless man" and suggested that Trump should "kiss [his] ass."
It's important to note that Trump's statement does not provide evidence to support his claims about Colbert's lack of talent or the financial losses he caused. Late-night shows, including "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," have been used as a platform to counter Trump's right-wing populism, often using biting satire to make him a laughing stock.
As for Trump's predictions about Kimmel and Fallon, he did not specify who would go first or provide any reasons for his claims. The future of these shows remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the competitive dynamic among late-night talk show hosts is more intense than ever.
[1] CBS Announces End of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in 2026. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.cbs.com/news/cbs-announces-end-of-the-late-show-with-stephen-colbert-in-2026/
[2] Colbert Amps Up Satire in Final Months on Air. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/01/arts/television/colbert-final-season.html
- Despite Trump's suggestion that Stephen Colbert's show was cancelled due to poor ratings and his own lack of talent, CBS claims the cancellation is part of an economic plan for the entire "Late Show" franchise, with a focus on current controversies in pop-culture remaining prevalent in Colbert's satire.
- In the competitive world of late-night television, Trump's prediction of Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon facing the same fate as Colbert, without providing any reasons, fuels the intensity of the dynamic among talk show hosts, with the future of their shows still uncertain.
