In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, an ex-TV anchor known for his evident disdain for Trump, astonishingly expressed that the president cannot be held responsible for the discontinuation of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’. The termination of the show has caused a stir among fans who believe that it was handed down as a consequence of Colbert’s on-air critique of CBS’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over a poorly edited conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris last year.
Despite the prominent protests from fans, the former anchor, a profuse critic of Trump himself, ardently asserts that political bias isn’t a valid reason for the show’s axing. Following the cancellation announcement, emotions ran high amongst fans. One of them critiqued the state of democratic discourse by tweeting during the aftermath, ‘We are officially at the ‘pulling comedians off the air who criticize our leader’ phase of fascism.’
In response to this outcry, the former anchor arguments remained steady. ‘Sorry. That’s not what happened here. If it had, they wouldn’t be keeping him on until next May,’ he commented back. Despite the evidence pointing against Colbert’s alleged political persecution, the idea continues to be propagated, reinforcing the entrenched bias against the current administration.
What lurks beneath the furore is the cold reality of financial failure. Reports indicate that ‘The Late Show’ has been hemorrhaging money, with losses expecting to hit the $40 million mark annually. It’s no surprise then that the decision to cancel would come down to such drastic monetary considerations, rather than political whimsies.
Case in point, ‘The Late Show’ Despite Colbert’s supposed popularity on the scale of late-night ratings, the show was costing a whopping $100 million per year to make. The irony of the successful ratings coupled with financial instability serves to underscore the disconnect that exists between perceived success and actual profitability.
Colbert’s hefty price tag as the host is a significant factor contributing to this monetary debacle. Receiving a lavish salary in the range of $15 to $20 million, it’s clear that consistent ratings are not enough to sustain such significant expenditure.
Evidently, the cancellation of ‘The Late Show’ isn’t a grand scheme to silence political dissent, but rather due to grave finances. Yet, critics scramble to find political motives in the move, oblivious to or conveniently ignoring the glaring financial instability of the show.
Of course, this never stops the critics from speculating. The narrative of a political attack against Colbert continues to be spun and maintained by those with a similar disdain for the current administration. The blame game is easier to play when the actual reasons are so deeply buried under a mountain of money lost.
The twist in the tale also involves big business moves. CBS’s parent company, Paramount, is currently mulling over a proposed merger with Skydance. A portrait of corporate politics unfolds as one realizes the Trump administration would have to sign off on this deal. The timing of the show’s cancellation may indeed be more about dollars and sense than any political grandstanding.
In the grand scheme of corporate dealings, the life of a late-night show is just a speck. The ultimate notice of the impending cancellation of Colbert’s show was handed down around the 4th of July. It was a foregone conclusion, drawing an unceremonious close to a period of supposed comedic engagement with politics.
Instead of focusing on the corporate strategies to salvage companies from dire financial circumstances, critics are quick to cataclyze every incident into a political storm, casting irrelevant aspersions on President Trump’s administration.
With a view of the forthcoming broadcast in May 2026, fans may take solace in the fact that ‘The Late Show’ will continue to air for a few more months. Meanwhile, baseless allegations and political conspiracy theories will likely overshadow the reality of the situation.
In the end, it’s a classic case of misplaced criticism and selective attention. All while the extravagant ‘Late Show’ continues its lavish spending, sinking into oblivion, embracing its painful dreams of martyrdom in the realm of political satire.
The post Colbert’s Show Axed: High Costs, not Politics to Blame appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
