The worlds of politics and entertainment have reacted with shock and disgust over the surprise news that CBS’ The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will end its run in 2026.
The likes of Jimmy Kimmel, Ben Stiller, John Cusack, Andy Richter, Michael Ian Black as well as prominent Democratic politicians such as Elizabeth Warren, Pramila Jayapal and Adam Schiff have taken to social media to decry the decision. Some entertainment industry figures and politicians have already claimed that CBS’ move was linked to parent company Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance Media, with the deal seeking regulatory approval from the Trump administration. Colbert has been amongst the most prominent critics of Donald Trump on television, and has arguably built his commanding lead in the late night ratings for more effectively skewering the president than some of his rivals.
On Instagram, under the video of Colbert’s monologue announcing the news, a number of celebrities replied in the comments. “The greatest to ever do it,” wrote former Late Show band leader Jon Batiste. “My admiration and appreciation for you is bottomless. Excited to see what other brilliance you put into the world. ❤️,” wrote filmmaker and producer Judd Apatow. “I am extremely sad. I adore you, Stephen,” wrote Snow White actress Rachel Zegler. “Love you Stephen. This is absolute bullshit, and I for one am looking forward to the next 10 months of shows. ✊😡💔”, wrote Severance star Adam Scott.
Jimmy Kimmel, the host of ABC’s late night staple Jimmy Kimmel Live!, was forthright in his condemnation of the news. Kimmel, a longtime friend of Colbert and who also shares an agent with his late night rival, posted a story to his Instagram, in which he wrote simply, “Love you Stephen. Fuck you and all your Sheldons CBS.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who in May opened an investigation into whether Paramount Global was engaging in bribery with Trump for the approval of the Skydance merger, bluntly questioned the motives behind ending the Late Show. “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery,” Warren wrote on X. “America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.”
Former New York Times media reporter Bill Carter, author of the books The Late Shift and The War for Late Night, wrote on X, “My first impression [about] the cancellation of Colbert: The financial side of that business has definitely been under pressure, as CBS release asserts, but if CBS believes it can escape without some serious questions about capitulating to Trump, they are seriously deluded.”
Read on for more reaction to the Late Show news.
CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery.America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.
Watch and share his message. pic.twitter.com/Rz7HcWFLYM
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 18, 2025
Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was cancelled.
If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.
— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 17, 2025
Stephen Colbert’s show was canceled three days after he called out Paramount, CBS’s parent company, for folding to Trump with a $16M settlement for a lawsuit that even they called “without merit.”
People deserve to know if this is a politically motivated attack on free speech.
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) July 18, 2025
Sorry to hear @CBS is canceling one of the best shows they have.
Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best.@colbertlateshow
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) July 18, 2025
My first impression abt the cancelation of Colbert:
The financial side of that business has definitely been under pressure, as CBS release asserts, but if CBS believes it can escape without some serious questions about capitulating to Trump, they are seriously deluded.
— Bill Carter (@wjcarter) July 17, 2025
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” top CBS executives said in a statement announcing the news. “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” pic.twitter.com/VXp4zWeT1e
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 18, 2025
