- President Donald Trump denied causing Colbert’s CBS exit but blamed the host’s “lack of talent” and financial failure.
- Trump suggested Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon could be next to lose their shows.
- Colbert previously fired back in a July 21 monologue, declaring “the gloves are off.”
- CBS reportedly cited $40–$50 million in annual losses behind the cancellation.
- The feud reflects broader political tensions between media and the Trump presidency.
Trump Escalates Colbert Feud With New Post
President Donald Trump escalated his feud with comedian Stephen Colbert on Monday night, posting on Truth Social that he was not behind the CBS decision to cancel The Late Show—but blamed Colbert’s performance and “lack of TALENT” for the network’s losses.
The post marked Trump’s second public jab at Colbert in less than two weeks. While distancing himself from any direct involvement, Trump claimed credit for predicting Colbert’s downfall—and forecasted more exits from the late-night scene.
Background
On July 18, one day after Colbert confirmed the show’s upcoming cancellation, Trump wrote on Truth Social:
The post triggered a firestorm of reactions, prompting Colbert to launch a pointed on-air response just days later.
Colbert’s Monologue Response – July 21
During the July 21 episode of The Late Show, Colbert fired back with sharp satire and profanity, marking a bold moment in the ongoing clash between the television host and the president.
“Go f*** yourself.”
Although the explicit comment was bleeped on CBS, it quickly circulated online. Colbert followed up with:
“They killed off our show. But they made one mistake. They left me alive.”
“Now for the next 10 months, the gloves are off. I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump — starting right now.”
Mocking the Prediction
Colbert also mocked Trump’s prediction that Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon were next in line to be canceled:
Questioning CBS’s Financial Justification
According to CBS sources, the show’s cancellation was driven by annual losses of $40–$50 million. Colbert questioned that narrative:
“$40 million is a big number. I could see us losing $24 million, but where would Paramount have possibly spent the other $16 million? Oh, yeah.”
He referenced a $16 million settlement CBS’s parent company reportedly paid to Trump over a legal dispute involving a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris — a deal Colbert previously labeled a “big fat bribe.”
Legacy and Fallout
Colbert, who took over from David Letterman in 2015, became one of Trump’s most consistent media critics. The show’s cancellation, while financially motivated according to CBS, is being seen by some as part of a larger cultural and political shift affecting late-night television.
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The Bottom Line
President Trump’s dual Truth Social posts have amplified tensions with the late-night world. Colbert, no longer bound by CBS programming, responded with an unfiltered broadcast statement, setting the tone for what could be months of escalating commentary. While the business behind late-night may be shifting, its political edge clearly remains.
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