In a display of unbridled fury that demonstrates the desperation gripping left-wing late-night television, Stephen Colbert unleashed a barrage of expletives and conspiracy-laden jabs during his Monday monologue, railing against President Donald Trump and his own network, CBS, following the surprise cancellation of The Late Show.
With ratings in a tailspin and audiences fleeing what conservatives view as relentless partisan propaganda, Colbert’s outburst—complete with vows of vengeance and crude insults—highlights how these shows have morphed from comedy into bitter political vendettas, alienating viewers and hemorrhaging cash.
Colbert, whose program has seen viewership plummet by nearly 40% since its heyday, didn’t mince words about CBS’s decision to pull the plug, claiming the network made one critical error: “they left me alive. And now, for the next 10 months, the gloves are off.”
Stephen Colbert dances around with human needles – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
This threat came amid speculation that the cancellation ties into corporate kowtowing, as CBS parent company Paramount edges toward finalizing its merger with Skydance—a deal requiring approval from the Trump administration. Paramount recently settled a $16 million lawsuit with Trump over an allegedly manipulated 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, a move Colbert mocked as a “big, fat bribe.”
Dismissing CBS’s official statement that the axing was “purely a financial decision” despite the show holding the No. 1 spot in its slot, Colbert quipped to his audience, “But how could it be a purely financial decision if the Late Show is No. 1 in ratings? Yeah, it’s confusing. A lot of folks are asking that question, mainly my staff’s parents and spouses.”
Stephen Colbert on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
He escalated by referencing an anonymous leak pegging annual losses at $40-50 million.
“$40 million is a big number,” he said. “I could see us losing $24 million, but where would Paramount have possibly spent the other $16 million?” This was, of course, a not-so-subtle dig at the settlement, ignoring the broader reality of declining ad revenues across late-night amid viewer fatigue from one-sided political rants.
U.S. President Donald Trump sits for an interview with ABC News – YouTube, ABC News
Colbert turned his ire directly to Trump, who celebrated the cancellation on Truth Social by writing, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next,” Colbert fired back with characteristic vulgarity.
“How dare you, sir?” Colbert stated. “Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f*** yourself.”
Stephen Colbert on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
He then possessively claimed martyrdom over his rival in a tongue and cheek manner, declaring, “Nope. No, no. Absolutely not, Kimmel. I am the martyr. There’s only room for one on this cross. And I gotta tell you, the view is fantastic from up here.”
Proving his “gloves off” pledge, Colbert devoted much of the monologue to dredging up Trump’s past associations with Jeffrey Epstein, a tactic that conservatives argue distracts from substantive issues while rehashing unproven smears.
The episode included a satirical segment imagining the Washington Commanders renaming themselves the “Washington Epsteins” to curry favor with Trump, in response to reports that the president has threatened to block their new stadium unless they revert to the old “Redskins” name.
Jon Stewart on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart – YouTube, The Daily Show
Colbert wasn’t alone in his theatrics; a parade of fellow liberal hosts—Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, and even Andy Cohen—appeared in a parody “Coldplay kiss cam” skit, mocking Paramount and Trump in a show of solidarity that felt more like a Hollywood pity party than genuine support.
Stewart, via video on The Daily Show, had earlier urged corporations to “sack up” against perceived pressure, while protests outside the Ed Sullivan Theater decried the move as censorship. Detractors on X, however, called it overdue justice for “political hacks” masquerading as comedians.
A screenshot of Jimmy Kimmel crying on TV after the election of Donald Trump – YouTube, Jimmy Kimmel Live
Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel, ever the opportunist, amplified the drama by vacationing at an anti-Trump protest on July 17th—the very day of Colbert’s cancellation announcement.
Sharing Instagram photos of himself, wife Molly McNearney, and their children in anti-Trump gear, holding signs like “Don’t bend the knee,” “Make America Good Again,” and “I wish we had a better president!,” Kimmel captioned it with a sly reference to a 2003 letter Trump allegedly wrote to Epstein, “May every day be another wonderful secret.”
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He later posted a clip from Colbert’s show, adding, “Love you Stephen,” before cursing CBS. “F— you and all your Sheldons.” This was a swipe at the network’s apolitical hits that don’t lose $40 million per year like The Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon.
Jimmy Kimmel reading tweets from President Trump at The Oscars – YouTube, New York Post
This feud traces back to longstanding animosity, including Kimmel’s Oscars jab at Trump: “Isn’t it past your jail time?”
Conservatives contend that such personal attacks, rather than humor, have tanked late-night’s appeal, with overall viewership cratering as Americans seek entertainment free from left-wing lectures.
Stephen Colbert on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert – YouTube, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
CBS insists The Late Show will air through May 2026, giving Colbert ample time for more meltdowns—but as Trump reshapes media accountability, these hosts’ pushback may only hasten their slide into irrelevance.
How do you feel about Colbert and his tirade against Trump? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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It would be even funnier if Colbert gets his ass fired sooner than the scheduled date.
Someone should call Child protection, its just me or their faces scream “help”? poor kids
I can’t keep saying this enough, STOP BEING LEFTIST!!!!!!!
If you want people to be SUED for SPEECH, then YOU are Anti-Freedom and the problem.
You have the RIGHT to lie per the 1st Amendment, and ANY Unconstitutional Laws should result in the one suing being in Prison for violating another’s Rights.
People are championing the removal of not only our Right, but the VERY FIRST ONE!!!!!!!!
This is what woke leftists think is “the gloves coming off?” Throwing tantrums and cursing? Holding up signs and chanting lame mantras? I will give them that this is a political issue, but not in the way they think. The fact CBS kept Colbert on the air for four straight years when the show was a $50 million annual loss says one of two things: CBS was willing to eat the costs to try and push their political messaging, or the network was getting dark money to keep his show on the air.
If the former, this is just reality forcing a badly needed correction. If the latter, that’s not something CBS and the rest of Hollywoke want anyone investigating because it’s highly illegal and undoubtedly they’re all guilty of it. We know the Biden Admin was paying out money under the table for woke programming and to push the jab on PBS. It’s not a stretch to think others got the same deal.
Also the timing *is* suspect but not because of Paramount’s settlement. On July 16th, just a day before CBS decided to cancel The Late Show, Congress passed a bill to further cut federal spending. That just implies they were getting dark money and now it’s been cut off. It’s only circumstantial right now but it does explain the timing the woke rant about.