President Donald Trump recently took to social media to address rumors about the ousting of late-night comedian Stephen Colbert from CBS’s "The Late Show." Colbert’s departure is officially set for May 2026, but Trump is making it clear he had nothing to do with it.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump rejected claims that he was behind Colbert’s firing. He argued that the comedian’s lack of humor was the real reason for his decline in ratings. Trump stated that Colbert had become “a victim to himself” and that his show was losing CBS around $50 million a year due to poor performance.
Despite bringing in around $60 million in advertising revenue, Colbert’s show reportedly operated at a significant loss—about $40 million annually—due to its high production costs, which totaled around $100 million. Trump emphasized that this financial strain was unsustainable, leading to the decision to let Colbert go.
Trump also suggested that Colbert would not be the last casualty in late-night television. He predicted that other hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, could follow suit if their ratings do not improve. He remarked, “Show Biz and Television is a very simple business. If you get Ratings, you can say or do anything. If you don’t, you always become a victim.”
This statement comes amid speculation that Colbert’s exit could be linked to a merger involving Paramount or a recent lawsuit between Trump and the network. Some, including Senator Cory Booker, have suggested that Colbert’s jokes about Trump might have influenced his departure. However, Colbert will continue to host his show until next year, despite the swirling rumors.
As the late-night landscape shifts, it remains to be seen how these developments will affect the future of comedy on television.