CBS Cancels The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Final Episode to Air May 2026

CBS has officially announced that it will cancel The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in May 2026, bringing an end to one of late-night television’s most iconic franchises. The decision arrives amid political tensions and public scrutiny after Colbert criticized a settlement involving former President Donald Trump and Paramount Global.

In a statement, CBS cited financial challenges as the sole reason for the show’s cancellation. However, the timing—just days after Colbert’s on-air comments calling the $16 million settlement a “big fat bribe”—has led to backlash and speculation. Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff have called for transparency, demanding clarity on whether political influence played a role.

Colbert’s Emotional Announcement

Colbert revealed the cancellation during a live taping at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater.

“Next year will be our last season… It’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”

Audience members responded with audible disappointment, to which Colbert replied:

“Yeah, I share your feelings.”

Trump Celebrates the Decision

On Truth Social, President Trump expressed satisfaction with the show’s cancellation, writing:

“I absolutely love that Colbert was fired… I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next.”

Trump has long been a frequent target of Colbert’s satire and political monologues. The president’s post also took aim at other late-night hosts and praised Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld.

Industry and Public Reaction

Colbert’s late-night peers expressed solidarity.
– Jimmy Kimmel posted: “Love you Stephen.”
– Jimmy Fallon shared: “I thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come.”
– Jamie Lee Curtis told the AP: “They’re trying to silence people. That won’t work. We will just get louder.”

Television analyst and author Bill Carter warned:

“If CBS thinks people are just going to swallow this, they’re really deluded.”

Despite falling viewership across the late-night genre, Colbert has consistently led his time slot with over 2.4 million viewers per episode. He recently received his sixth Emmy nomination and won a Peabody Award in 2021.

A Decade of Political Commentary

Colbert took over The Late Show in 2015, succeeding David Letterman. Known for his sharp political humor and engagement with newsmakers, he used his platform to challenge institutions, including Trump’s presidency.

His very first episode in September 2015 featured George Clooney and Jeb Bush. Even then, Colbert’s satire struck political chords:

“You’d think eight years as Florida’s governor would have prepared Jeb for Trump. Evidently not.”

What Comes Next?

Colbert has not announced future plans but emphasized that the show would not be handed over to a new host. Meanwhile, CBS has also canceled After Midnight, hosted by Taylor Tomlinson, signaling a possible exit from the late-night space altogether.

As the media landscape shifts and streaming platforms rise, Colbert’s departure marks the end of an era—and the beginning of new questions about the intersection of comedy, politics, and corporate power.