Entertainment17 May, 20263 min read
Stephen Colbert Retaliates Against Donald Trump After CBS Ends 'Late Show'
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CBS ends The Late Show in May 2026 after more than 30 years on air. Colbert criticized Trump on-air after the cancellation announcement.
Colbert fires back
Stephen Colbert retaliated Monday to U.S. President Donald Trump during his first show since CBS announced the end of his « Late Show », warning that « les hostilités sont ouvertes ».
Colbert also accused CBS of seeking Trump’s favor for commercial reasons, and he told the president: « Allez vous faire foutre! ».
CBS said the show would stop being broadcast in May 2026, after a surprise announcement made by CBS the week before, and the network linked the decision to financial motivations.
The cancellation followed CBS ending Colbert’s late-night program three days after Colbert criticized CBS for settling a lawsuit with Trump, and Trump later wrote on Truth Social: « J'adore que Colbert ait été licencié ».
Colbert used his opening monologue to mock Trump’s request that the Washington Commanders reclaim the name Washington Redskins, then staged a sketch about Trump seeking to rename the franchise Washington Epsteins, referencing Jeffrey Epstein.
Tributes and doubts
Fellow hosts reacted across the industry after CBS confirmed the cancellation, with Jimmy Fallon saying, « I'm as shocked as everyone », and calling Colbert « one of the liveliest and funniest hosts to have ever hosted a show ». Seth Meyers said Colbert is « a good comedian but an even better person », adding, « I'm going to miss not having him on television every night ». Donald Trump, who has never been a fan, rejoiced on social media, posting on Truth Social: « I am absolutely thrilled that Colbert has been fired ».
Colbert told his audience last week at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York that « Next year will be our last season », and the crowd booed and jeered as he replied, « Yes, I share your feelings ». While CBS insisted the cancellation is « a purely financial decision in a difficult late-night climate », the timing raised questions for two U.S. senators who called for transparency in the matter, according to Euronews.
What comes next
CBS says the show’s shutdown is « purely financial », and the network framed late-night television as « bleeding money in the streaming age » while production costs have soared, according to The Times of India. The Times of India linked suspicion to Colbert’s on-air criticism of Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company, for settling a lawsuit brought by President Trump and calling the payout « a big fat bribe ». RFI reported that CBS announced the end of Colbert’s « Late Show » after sharp criticisms of Trump, with the final curtain falling in May 2026.
RFI also described how CBS’s decision came after Paramount paid $16 million to Donald Trump to settle a dispute over an interview on the 60 Minutes program, and it quoted Colbert saying: « I believe that this kind of complex financial settlement with an elected president has a technical term in legal circles: it's a huge bribe. » As Colbert’s run winds down, the Times of India said he is expected to migrate to streaming and podcasting, while also noting reports that he will be co-writing a Lord of the Rings film with his son Peter.