Stephen Colbert Delivers Fiery On-Air Comeback to Trump After Late Show Cancellation News
Television icon Stephen Colbert ignited headlines this week with a bold, explicit response to former President Donald Trump during a recent episode of The Late Show—just days after news broke that CBS would be ending the long-running program in May 2026.
The drama unfolded after Trump gleefully celebrated the show’s cancellation in a social media post, taunting Colbert with a biting jab:
“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!”
Reading Trump’s mocking words aloud to the studio audience, Colbert’s crowd erupted in boos. Then, with trademark sharp wit and unfiltered candor, Colbert shot back:
“How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f** yourself!”*
The explosive moment sent the audience into cheers and swiftly went viral, dominating social media conversations.
CBS’s decision to pull the plug on The Late Show stunned many, especially since the program consistently drew strong ratings—averaging 2.4 million viewers last quarter, surpassing competitors Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon. Yet, citing budget cuts after losing $40 million last year, the network insisted financial woes were behind the cancellation.
Adding fuel to the fire, Colbert recently slammed CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, over a reported $16 million settlement paid to Trump—calling it a “big fat bribe.” Industry insiders speculate this controversy may have strained Colbert’s relationship with the network.
Colbert’s longtime friend and fellow comedian Jon Stewart weighed in, supporting Colbert’s fearless stance and hinting that CBS may be stepping back from hosting politically charged satire aimed at Trump.
As the show’s final chapter approaches, Stephen Colbert remains as outspoken as ever, blending his signature satire, current events, and star-studded interviews—proving why The Late Show has been a late-night institution for years.