Here's What Donald Trump Had To Say About Stephen Colbert's Talk Show Being Canceled

    Yesterday, it was announced that Stephen's beloved talk show will be ending in 2026 — just days after he publicly criticized a settlement between Paramount and the president.

    Chelsea Stewart
    by Chelsea Stewart

    BuzzFeed Staff

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    Yesterday, it was announced that CBS had canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert after 10 years on air.

    Stephen Colbert sits at a desk on set of The Late Show
    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert / CBS / Via youtube.com

    Stephen made the stunning announcement to fans on the July 17 episode of the show. He told the audience, "I want to let you know something I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May."

    Stephen Colbert in a suit stands on a talk show set featuring a desk and large video screen backdrop
    CBS Photo Archive / CBS via Getty Images

    When the audience groaned in response, Stephen added, "Yeah, I share your feelings. It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of The Late Show on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away."

    The abrupt announcement immediately raised questions, with some speculating the move was political in nature. Just days earlier, Stephen had criticized CBS's parent company, Paramount, for settling a $16-million defamation lawsuit with Donald Trump regarding edits to a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris. However, the company insisted it was "purely a financial decision."

    Stephen Colbert in a suit and tie is standing in a studio with a cityscape backdrop, gesturing with his hand while speaking
    The Late Show with Stephen Colbert / CBS / Via youtube.com

    "We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise in May of 2026,” CBS officials said in a statement, which was shared with Variety. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television. This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.  It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

    The cancellation prompted widespread reactions from fans and celebrities alike — including, unsurprisingly, President Trump, who took to Truth Social to say he "absolutely love[d] that Colbert' got fired."

    Donald Trump, dressed in a suit with an American flag pin, speaks to the media
    Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
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    "His talent was even less than his ratings," Trump continued. "I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less better talent than Colbert!"

    Donald Trump in a suit and a "USA" hat speaks at a podium surrounded by a crowd holding signs at a public event
    Anadolu / Anadolu via Getty Images

    He concluded the post by praising Fox News' Greg Gutfeld, who he said "is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show."

    Donald Trump says he’s happy Stephen Colbert’s late night show is being cancelled:

    “His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next.” pic.twitter.com/BGu4aNjMDL

    — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 18, 2025
    @PopCrave / @realdonaldtrump / LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images / Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images / Via Twitter: @PopCrave

    So far, Stephen and Jimmy haven't publicly responded to the post. But Jimmy did share his support for Stephen — and slam CBS — in a statement on Instagram.

    He wrote, “Love you Stephen," and, "Fuck you and all your Sheldons CBS." You can see his post — and other celebrity reactions to the news — here.

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