Overview
- Stephen Colbert told GQ that it is a "reasonable" theory to link his show's cancellation to politics, though he said that is not his own conclusion.
- CBS and Paramount reiterate the decision was purely financial given late-night economics, and the network plans to run The Late Show through May 2026.
- The remarks follow Paramount/CBS paying $16 million to settle President Trump's 60 Minutes lawsuit that company lawyers had viewed as meritless, a payout Colbert mocked on air as a "big fat bribe."
- Coverage notes the timing with Paramount’s Skydance merger requiring FCC approval, a sequence critics cite to question motives, though no public evidence proves political pressure drove the move.
- Colbert said he learned of the decision from his manager, while Democrats including Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff sought answers on potential political influence and Trump publicly celebrated the cancellation.