Comedian and former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart has come out swinging in defense of his friend Stephen Colbert, who had his late-night show on CBS axed amidst a tumultuous relationship with President Donald Trump. The network claims the decision was purely financial, but Stewart is skeptical.
Colbert’s show ended its run in May 2026, and he thanked CBS for the opportunity. However, Stewart believes the real reason behind the cancellation may be related to Trump’s ongoing feud with Colbert, who criticized the president over a $16 million payment made by Paramount to settle a lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” interview.
Stewart called it “the path of least resistance” for CBS to cancel the show while pursuing an $8 billion merger with Skydance Media. He also expressed frustration that his own show might face similar treatment, but didn’t seem too concerned about its future.
Trump took to Truth Social to gloat over Colbert’s show cancellation, calling him “untalented.” However, many Democrats are now speaking out, accusing the settlement between Paramount and Trump of being “bribery in plain sight.”
The controversy has sparked renewed calls for an investigation into the matter. Stewart pointed out that late-night television may be losing money, but CBS should have tried to save its top-rated franchise instead of canceling it.
The situation highlights the ongoing rift between Colbert and Trump, with both sides trading barbs on social media. As one former colleague said, “the gloves are off” for the remainder of Colbert’s time.
Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/22/donald-trump-colbert-jon-stewart-reaction-00467249