Overview
- During CNN's New Year's Eve broadcast with Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper, Colbert summed up 2025 by saying, "Don't trust billionaires!"
- The remark echoed an April 2025 Late Show parody with Alan Cumming that mocked the super-rich's influence.
- In July 2025, Colbert told his studio audience the 2025-26 season would be the last, said he would not be replaced because the show was "just going away," and thanked CBS and viewers.
- Paramount Global and CBS later confirmed the finale is scheduled for May 2026 and said they will retire The Late Show franchise, praising Colbert.
- In November 2025, Colbert told GQ he loved the job yet felt some relief and suggested his might be the first No. 1 show to be canceled.