Stephen Colbert Says The Late Show Will End After 33-Year Run: Is It Because Of Trump?
CBS will end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, citing financial reasons. This follows a $16 million lawsuit settlement with Donald Trump.
The CBS revealed it will end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, marking the conclusion of a 33-year late-night legacy. While the network insists the move was 'purely a financial decision", the timing- just two weeks after CBS parent company Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with US President Donald Trump- has fueled political speculation.
Donald Trump, a long-standing target of Stephen Colbert's satirical stance, sued the network over a 60 Minutes segment featuring his 2024 opponent Kamala Harris, alleging the interview was deceptively edited to favor Democrats. Though Paramount said the settlement funds would go toward Donald Trump's future presidential library and not directly to him, critics aren't buying the apolitical spin.
What Stephen Colbert Said On The Late Show Ending?
Stephen Colbert broke the news to his studio audience, prompting boos, as he said, 'It's not just the end of our show- it's the end of The Late Show on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away." Stephen Colbert, who took over from David Letterman in 2015, built his version of The Late Show into a bastion of liberal comedy and sharp political commentary. Before that, he hosted The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, where he famously parodied conservative punditry.
Why Democrats Are Not Happy With The Late Show Ending?
US Senator Adam Schiff, who had taped an interview with Stephen Colbert just hours earlier, questioned on X (formerly Twitter) whether the cancellation was tied to the Donald Trump settlement, saying, 'If Paramount and CBS ended The Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know."
view comments
First Published:
July 18, 2025, 16:14 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
Adnan Sami Recalls Lata Mangeshkar Singing To His Ailing Father: ‘There Were Tears In His Eyes'
Adnan Sami recalls the emotional moment when Lata Mangeshkar sang to his ailing father on his deathbed, calling it one of the most touching memories of his life. Singer Adnan Sami recently offered a heartfelt glimpse into his cherished relationship with the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, reflecting on the immense personal and emotional impact she had on his family. In a conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Sami revealed that his late father, Arshad Sami Khan, was an ardent admirer of the iconic singer and that her lullaby 'Dheere Se Aaja Ri Ankhiyan Mein" held a special place in their hearts. 'Beyond being the Bharat Ratna, beyond being the Nightingale of India, she was the ultimate voice that graced the microphones and speakers of this country," Sami said, paying tribute to Mangeshkar's unparalleled legacy. He further shared that his father, who was well-versed in her repertoire, idolised her throughout his life. 'She was my father's favourite. He grew up listening to her and could sing all her songs. So, collaborating with her was not just a professional milestone—it was deeply personal. It made my father extraordinarily proud," he shared. The bond between Mangeshkar and the Sami family was further underscored during one of the most difficult times in their lives—when Arshad Sami was battling terminal pancreatic cancer. Recalling a deeply emotional moment, Adnan said, 'He was literally on his deathbed in Mumbai. Watching someone you love suffer like that makes you feel helpless. One day, I called didi and told her about his condition. She had met him years ago, and I hoped that just hearing her voice would lift his spirits." The call proved to be profoundly moving. 'I remember handing him the phone—he was stunned to hear her voice. His face lit up, and tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke about how he'd been listening to her since childhood. She began singing to him. It brought him peace. That is where she stood with me," Sami said with emotion. Adnan also shared a more personal and tender side of their friendship—Lata Mangeshkar's fondness for his daughter, Medina. A passionate hobbyist of photography and editing, she would lovingly enhance the pictures Adnan shared of his daughter. 'When Medina was born, I would send her photos, and she would zoom in on details she found adorable, like her toe. She would colour correct and crop them. Even toward the end of her life, I kept sending her pictures, and she kept editing them. She was very special to me," he added. Lata Mangeshkar passed away on February 6, 2022, leaving behind a legacy that resonates across generations. For Adnan Sami, her memory lives on—not just through her timeless voice, but also through the intimate, meaningful moments they shared as friends and family. First Published: July 18, 2025, 21:03 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
Gayle, Pollard, Bravo To Wear 'Most Expensive Jersey' In Cricket History In WCL
Last Updated: West Indies Champions, featuring legends like Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo, will wear the most expensive cricket jersey in history at WCL 2025. Boasting legends like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, the West Indies Champions are ready to roar in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. To add to their flamboyance, they will wear the most expensive cricket jersey in the history of the sport, designed by Dubai-based luxury brand Lorenze in partnership with Channel2 Group corporation. Scheduled from July 18 to August 2 across Birmingham, Northampton, Leicester, and Leeds, WCL 2025 brings together the heroes of yesteryears in a grand summer spectacle sanctioned by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The iconic jersey, designed exclusively for the West Indies Champions, is embellished with real 18K gold, available in 30g, 20g, and 10g editions. This landmark release is a tribute to the rich heritage and legendary spirit of West Indies cricket greats — from Sir Clive Lloyd to Chris Gayle and the modern generation of icons. 'This landmark release is a tribute to the rich heritage and legendary spirit of West Indies cricket greats — from Sir Clive Lloyd to Chris Gayle and the modern generation of icons. This isn't just sportswear — it's wearable history. A seamless fusion of royal craftsmanship, cultural pride, and sporting excellence, the Lorenze jersey stands as a collector's item and global statement of luxury in sport," commented Raj Karan Duggal, Founder of Lorenze. WCL 2025 features an all-star line-up including Chris Gayle, DJ Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Brett Lee, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Sir Alastair Cook, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, and more. Fans in India can tune in LIVE on Star Sports and FanCode for daily double headers at 5 PM and 9 PM IST. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
41 minutes ago
- Mint
Trump cheers Colbert's exit as CBS cancels ‘The Late Show', says 'Jimmy Kimmel is next'
Donald Trump has publicly praised CBS for its surprise decision to end 'The Late Show', which will conclude in May next year after a 33-year run. The cancellation has drawn attention across the political and media landscape, with Trump taking to his platform to gloat over Colbert's departure. "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert! Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show (sic)," Trump wrote. Stephen Colbert, who has hosted the flagship late-night programme since 2015, confirmed the news during Thursday night's taping, telling his audience, 'It's not just the end of the show, it is the end of the Late Show on CBS. I'm not being replaced, this is all just going away.' The announcement follows closely on the heels of Colbert's on-air criticism of CBS's parent company, Paramount Global, for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from a heavily edited interview featuring then-vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The settlement was finalised while Paramount was seeking regulatory approval for an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. Colbert condemned the settlement on air, calling it 'a big fat bribe.' He also expressed gratitude towards his viewers and production team, saying, 'Let me tell you, it is a fantastic job. I wish someone else was getting it. And it is a job I am looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months.' Colbert took over from David Letterman in 2015, following Letterman's 22-year tenure. While recent episodes have sparked controversy, The Late Show has remained a ratings leader in the late-night space throughout Colbert's time at the helm. CBS has not yet commented further on the show's closure or on the timing of its announcement following Colbert's public criticism of Paramount.
