In what’s quickly become one of the biggest media shakeups of the year, Stephen Colbert’s Late Show is officially being canceled, and the fallout is explosive.
While CBS insists it’s just business—nothing personal—many fans, celebrities, and even U.S. senators are calling it what they believe it is: a political hit job.
But according to a top official in Washington, this controversy isn’t what it seems.
FCC Chairman Says It’s Not Politics—Just Economics
Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, weighed in sharply on the growing backlash, calling it nothing more than political theater.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Carr poked fun at left-leaning fans of the show who were mourning the cancellation.
“They’re acting like they lost a DNC spokesperson entitled to an exemption from the laws of economics,” he wrote.
According to Carr, this isn’t about political censorship—it’s about cold, hard cash.
CBS Says Colbert’s Cancellation Was All About the Money
CBS shocked viewers last Thursday by announcing that Colbert’s run as host will end in May 2026, capping off a decade behind the Late Show desk.
The network claimed the decision was purely financial, noting that despite the show’s strong ratings, it was losing around $40 million a year, a number some insiders say might actually be higher.
CBS stressed that the cancellation had nothing to do with Colbert’s content, performance, or politics—but many aren’t buying it.
Timing Raises Eyebrows After Colbert Called Out Paramount
The announcement came just days after Colbert took aim at CBS’s parent company, Paramount, calling their $16 million settlement with Donald Trump a “big fat bribe.”
The timing didn’t go unnoticed—and many critics suspect the cancellation was retaliation.
Even more suspicious? Paramount is currently working through a major merger with Skydance, a deal still under federal review and potentially influenced by the Trump administration.
Celebrities and Senators Cry Foul
The reaction has been loud—and bipartisan.
Bernie Sanders didn’t hold back, writing on X:
“Colbert slams the deal, and days later, he’s fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? No.”
Elizabeth Warren echoed that sentiment, pointing to the suspicious timing and calling for transparency.
Meanwhile, Adam Schiff demanded answers from CBS and Paramount, saying the public “deserves better.”
Jamie Lee Curtis joined the outcry, linking the move to broader attempts to silence public media voices:
“They just cut NPR… they’re trying to silence people. It won’t work.”
Even Jon Stewart chimed in on The Daily Show, praising Colbert’s decade-long performance and expressing his disappointment at the cancellation.
Trump Celebrates Colbert’s Fall on Truth Social
As expected, Donald Trump wasted no time celebrating the news.
On Truth Social, he gleefully mocked the comedian:
“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired.
His talent was even less than his ratings.”
He then added, with a hint of foreshadowing, “I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next.”
Colbert Fires Back with Humor and Fury
Colbert didn’t stay quiet. On Monday night’s episode, he addressed the cancellation head-on—and turned it into an entire monologue.
With a sarcastic grin and roaring crowd behind him, he opened by saying:
“Cancel culture has gone too far.”
He then mocked Paramount’s decision, saying:
“They made one mistake. They left me alive! For the next ten months, the gloves are off.”
In a pointed jab at Trump, Colbert activated his so-called “Eloquence Cam” and said:
“Go f*** yourself.”
He also took a swipe at Trump’s dig about Jimmy Kimmel, saying:
“Nope. I am the martyr. There’s only room for one on this cross—and the view from up here is fantastic.”
Hints at Political Motivation and a Very Public Exit
Colbert continued roasting Paramount over the reported $40–$50 million in annual losses, sarcastically wondering where the rest of the money went:
“Where would Paramount have possibly spent the other $16 million? Oh…”
That’s a not-so-subtle nod to the same $16 million settlement with Trump he previously criticized.
And he wasn’t done. Colbert referenced a recent story about Trump allegedly writing a lewd birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein:
“The only other story is a small one… the president is buddies with a pedophile.”
FCC Chairman Doubles Down
After Colbert’s fiery episode aired, Brendan Carr returned to X to keep the back-and-forth alive.
“I’m surprised to learn that CBS didn’t find this stuff profitable,” he quipped—clearly referencing Colbert’s political jabs.
A Media Moment That’s Far From Over
This isn’t just about a TV show getting canceled—it’s about power, politics, and who controls the narrative.
Whether CBS pulled the plug to save money or silence a critic is now up for public debate—and the outrage doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon.
As the countdown begins to Colbert’s final show next May, one thing is certain: he’s not going quietly.