Stephen Colbert Confronts Theories Claiming Trump Got ‘The Late Show’ Canceled: It’s ‘Reasonable’ to Think It Was Politically Motivated but Not ‘Fruitful’ to ‘Engage in That Speculation’

Stephen Colbert Addresses Theories on "The Late Show" Cancellation

Stephen Colbert responded to claims that the cancellation of "The Late Show" was politically motivated, describing such thoughts as "reasonable" but not worth pursuing further.

Context of the Cancellation

Colbert's CBS show was abruptly canceled in July, soon after he publicly criticized Paramount's $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a "60 Minutes" lawsuit. During that period, Paramount was also awaiting FCC approval for its merger with Skydance.

Paramount's Official Statement

The company stated the cancellation was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night" and was "not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount."

Alternative Views

Despite the official position, some figures, including Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff, hinted at possible political motives behind the show's cancellation, as noted by GQ writer Zach Baron in his interview with Colbert.

Colbert's Perspective

Colbert said it is “a reasonable thing to think” the cancellation might have political reasons but declined to “engage in that speculation.”

Colbert balances acknowledging the theory's validity with a desire to avoid diving into potentially unproductive speculation.

Author's Summary

Stephen Colbert acknowledges that political motives for "The Late Show" cancellation might be reasonable to suspect but chooses not to focus on uncertain speculation.

Variety — 2025-11-04