Trump celebrates Colbert's cancellation and predicts Kimmel's fate
- CBS announced that Stephen Colbert's Late Show would be canceled, citing financial reasons.
- Donald Trump expressed joy over Colbert's firing and predicted Jimmy Kimmel would be next.
- The cancellation showcases the shifting dynamics of late-night television in the streaming era.
On July 17, 2025, CBS executives announced the cancellation of Stephen Colbert's Late Show, which will conclude in May 2026. The decision was publicly justified as financially motivated, but critics, including Congressional Democrats and Trump opponents, suggested it was politically influenced, especially following Colbert's criticisms of a recent $16 million settlement between Donald Trump and CBS's parent company, Paramount. Trump characterized the non-renewal of Colbert's show as a deserved outcome, describing Colbert's talent as lesser than his ratings and predicting that Jimmy Kimmel would face a similar fate. He praised Fox News host Greg Gutfeld as superior to Colbert and Kimmel, alongside previous NBC Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon. This cancellation represents significant changes in late-night television viewership trends, where younger audiences lean towards alternative media formats rather than traditional programming, highlighting an evolution in the entertainment landscape. CBS executives, while confirming the decision, described Colbert as irreplaceable, indicating efforts to shifted towards programs better suited for current audience preferences and viewing behaviors. The decision reflects a broader challenge within the industry, grappling with viewership decline and the merging of traditional and modern media formats.