A planned pro-Colbert protest in New York meant to defend free speech fizzled embarrassingly when only about 20 people showed up, exposing the fading public support for the fired Late Show host after CBS canceled his show over low ratings and rising pressure linked to the Trump administration—leaving a bitter aftertaste for fans who hoped for a stronger national outcry.

On Sunday afternoon, a rally organized to support Stephen Colbert, the soon-to-be-former host of CBS’s “Late Show,” unfolded outside the CBS Broadcast Center on Manhattan’s West Side, but what was meant to be a show of solidarity turned into a strikingly underwhelming event.

Despite high expectations set by nationwide calls for “integrity” and free speech, only about 20 protesters showed up at the peak of the gathering, leaving even the New York Police Department officers on the scene with little reason to stay as most participants dispersed after just minutes.

The rally, dubbed “We’re With Colbert,” was led by an organizer who identified himself simply as Matt, nicknamed “Slim.” In his brief remarks, he voiced frustration about the current political climate, saying, “Our country is not perfect, never has been.

But we’ve always had the First Amendment, and now Mango Mussolini is trying to take that from us,” using a harsh nickname aimed at President Donald Trump.

The statement echoed a broader sentiment among Colbert’s supporters that the cancellation of his show represents an attack on free speech and political satire.

Stephen Colbert, 61, has been at the helm of the “Late Show” since September 2015 and has built a reputation as a sharp, politically charged satirist, often targeting the Trump administration.

However, his tenure is ending after CBS announced in July that the show would be canceled in May 2026, citing declining ratings and rising production costs as the primary reasons.

The network’s parent company, Paramount Global, recently finalized an \$8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, a move some critics believe influenced the decision.

“The numbers just don’t lie,” CBS representatives stated, explaining that the “Late Show” had been losing viewership and profitability for some time.

Yet, many supporters argue that political pressure, especially from conservative circles loyal to Trump, played a significant role in the cancellation.

The controversy has ignited debates about whether late-night television is becoming too polarized, and whether certain voices are being silenced due to ideological bias.

This tension was palpable at the New York rally. One unnamed protester, holding a sign condemning what they called a “First Amendment attack,” declared, “We can’t stand for that.”

Yet, the turnout suggested that the fervor seen online and in media commentary may not translate into widespread public activism.

The small crowd stood in stark contrast to the large viewership Colbert’s show once commanded, raising questions about the depth and breadth of his support.

Critics of Colbert’s show highlight the program’s clear left-leaning stance. According to a report by MRC NewsBusters, a conservative media watchdog, since 2022, Colbert’s guests have overwhelmingly leaned liberal — with 176 liberal guests and only one Republican appearing.

This imbalance has fueled claims from conservative audiences that the “Late Show” has alienated half of the country’s viewers by favoring one political perspective.

The rally’s lackluster attendance also comes as a blow to those hoping for a larger movement to resist what they perceive as growing censorship in entertainment media.

The event lasted barely long enough to make a significant impression, with many participants leaving shortly after gathering. NYPD officers monitoring the scene found little to do as the crowd dispersed.

The timing of the rally is also critical. It occurred just weeks after David Letterman, a late-night legend who previously hosted CBS’s “Late Show” for 22 years, lambasted the network for canceling Colbert’s program.

Letterman called CBS’s move “gutless” and “pure cowardice,” arguing that the decision was less about money and more about corporate fear amid the network’s impending sale to Skydance.

His remarks amplified the narrative that political and financial interests were entwined in the cancellation decision.

While Colbert has acknowledged his show’s politically charged nature, calling himself a “martyr” for his satire during a recent monologue, the public response remains divided.

Fans mourn the loss of one of the most popular and politically outspoken late-night hosts, while detractors argue the show has become a platform for partisan commentary rather than entertainment.

CBS’s announcement of the cancellation has sparked broader questions about the future of late-night television, a genre that has long balanced comedy and political critique.

Will the “Late Show” with Colbert’s end mark a shift toward less political content? Or is it a sign of a deeper realignment in how media companies respond to audience fragmentation and political pressures?

As the months tick down to the show’s final broadcast in May 2026, the fate of late-night TV and the legacy of Stephen Colbert remain uncertain.

For now, the “We’re With Colbert” rally in New York serves as a small but vivid symbol of the tensions roiling the entertainment world—caught between political passion, corporate decisions, and the evolving landscape of American media consumption.