Television host Jimmy Kimmel has criticized CBS for canceling “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” amid speculation that the decision may be politically motivated.
CBS announced Thursday that Colbert’s late-night series will end in May 2026, retiring the “Late Show” brand. The network described the decision as “purely financial” due to challenging conditions in late-night television.
Kimmel responded on Instagram, writing “Love you Stephen” and “F*** you and all your Sheldons CBS” alongside a clip of Colbert’s on-air announcement about his show’s ending.
The timing of the cancellation has raised questions among media commentators and politicians. The decision comes approximately two weeks after Paramount, CBS’s parent company, agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit with President Trump over alleged deceptive editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris.
CBS stated the cancellation is “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” The network cited the broader decline of late-night television amid the rise of digital media as the primary factor.
However, several prominent figures have questioned whether political considerations played a role. Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote on social media: “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just three days after Colbert called out CBS owner Paramount for its $16 settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery.”
Colbert has been a vocal critic of Trump throughout his tenure as “Late Show” host, which began in 2015. His regular monologues have frequently targeted the President.
Television producer Mike Schur, known for “Parks and Recreation” and “The Good Place,” expressed concern about the implications, writing: “When media companies cancel late night shows to appease fascist presidents, America ends.”
Andy Richter, Conan O’Brien’s longtime sidekick, also defended Colbert, calling him “a profoundly good and deeply talented man with a great staff and an excellent show.”
Former New York Times media reporter Bill Carter noted that while financial pressures in late-night television are real, CBS should expect “serious questions about capitulating to Trump.”
The late-night television format has faced significant challenges in recent years, with declining viewership and advertising revenue as audiences increasingly turn to digital platforms for entertainment.
Paramount is currently in the process of being acquired by Skydance Media, with the Trump settlement seen as potentially helping to speed federal approval for the deal.
