Stephen Colbert didn’t hold back in his first broadcast since the surprise cancellation of The Late Show, taking direct aim at both CBS and President Donald Trump. Opening with a blunt message—”the gloves are off”—Colbert criticized the network’s decision to axe his show and accused it of caving to political pressure.
CBS, owned by Paramount, recently announced The Late Show would end in May 2026. The move came just days after Colbert publicly mocked the network for its $16 million settlement with Trump over the alleged editing of an interview with Kamala Harris. Colbert referred to the settlement as a “big fat bribe.”
Trump, who has frequently been the target of Colbert’s satirical segments, celebrated the cancellation on Truth Social, writing, “I absolutely love that Colbert was fired.” On air, Colbert joked that it had always been his dream—dating back to his improv days in 1980s Chicago—to have a sitting president cheer the end of his career.
Colbert also pushed back on CBS’s claim that the decision was “purely financial,” reportedly due to the show losing $40 million last year. “I can account for $24 million,” he quipped. “The other $16 million? Ask CBS News.”
In Monday night’s episode, Colbert launched a scathing satirical segment on Trump’s demand to rename the Washington Commanders football team—mockingly proposing the name “Washington Epsteins,” referencing the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged ties to Trump. He continued with a deep dive into reporting on Trump’s past connections to Epstein.
Colbert framed the episode as a continuation of his mission: using comedy to speak uncomfortable truths. “They may have killed the show,” he said, “but they didn’t kill me.”
Outside the Ed Sullivan Theater, fans gathered with signs reading “Colbert Stays! Trump Must Go!” Among them was Elizabeth Kott, a 48-year-old teacher, who called the cancellation “terrible,” adding, “It’s awful that companies feel the need to obey in advance.”
Guests Sandra Oh and Dave Franco also expressed support. Oh declared a “plague on CBS and Paramount,” while Colbert’s lip visibly trembled as she praised him for balancing humor and courage. Franco credited Colbert’s influence across multiple shows, from The Daily Show and The Colbert Report to The Late Show.
Colbert rose to fame by parodying conservative pundits on Comedy Central before taking over CBS’s iconic late-night slot. During the pandemic, he became a comforting presence for millions, broadcasting from home and sharing personal stories with his wife, Evelyn.
Though he skipped a post-show Q&A, Colbert closed the night with a heartfelt goodbye to his live audience: “I was nervous coming out here. I will miss you.”
