President Donald Trump celebrated the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, suggesting that it reflects a troubling political influence in entertainment, while raising concerns about potential repercussions for outspoken comedians like Jimmy Kimmel, leaving fans and critics questioning the future of late-night television.

In a surprising twist in the late-night television landscape, President Donald Trump has publicly celebrated the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, which CBS announced on July 17, 2025.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Friday to express his delight, stating, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired.”

His comments come amid a backdrop of increasing tensions between Trump and late-night hosts, many of whom have been vocal critics of his presidency.

Trump didn’t stop at Colbert; he also suggested that Jimmy Kimmel, another prominent late-night host known for his sharp political satire, might be “next” to face the axe.

“His talent was even less than his ratings,” Trump remarked, adding, “Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show.”

This remark highlights Trump’s ongoing rivalry with late-night comedians who have made his presidency a frequent target for jokes and commentary.

CBS’s decision to cancel The Late Show has been described as a “purely financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” according to a company statement.

The network emphasized that the cancellation was not related to the show’s performance or content, despite Colbert’s recent criticism of CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global.

Just days before the cancellation, Colbert had lambasted Paramount for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Trump over a controversial 60 Minutes interview featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Colbert’s monologue following his vacation was particularly scathing, as he expressed his offense at the settlement, which included a “side deal” for CBS to run at least $15 million worth of public service ads supporting causes favored by Trump.

“As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended,” Colbert declared, questioning the integrity of the company he worked for.

He went on to label the settlement a “big fat bribe,” suggesting it was indicative of a troubling relationship between the network and the Trump administration.

The timing of the cancellation has raised eyebrows, particularly among political commentators and fans of Colbert’s show.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) took to social media to voice her concerns, stating, “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 emphasized that “America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons,” further fueling speculation about the motivations behind CBS’s decision.

Trump’s comments have reignited debates over the influence of politics in entertainment and the potential repercussions for those who speak out against powerful figures.

The late-night landscape has been dominated by hosts who have taken a critical stance towards Trump and his policies, often using humor as a tool for political commentary.

With Colbert’s cancellation, many are left wondering if this marks a shift in the late-night dynamic, where comedians may face consequences for their outspoken views.

As the dust settles on this latest development, the future of late-night television remains uncertain.

Will Kimmel be the next target, as Trump suggests, or will other hosts continue to challenge the political status quo? The fallout from Colbert’s departure will likely be felt across the industry, prompting discussions about censorship, artistic freedom, and the role of comedy in the political arena.

As viewers await the next moves from CBS and its late-night competitors, one thing is clear: the intersection of politics and entertainment is as volatile as ever.