Stephen Colbert spoke out about theories claiming that The Late Show’s cancellation could be politically motivated, saying it was a “reasonable thing to think about,” but ultimately declined to “commit to that speculation.”
In a new GQ cover story, Colbert was asked about the sudden cancellation of his CBS show in July, shortly after he criticized on-air the $16 million “60 Minutes” settlement between parent company Paramount and President Donald Trump. In addition to the “60 Minutes” lawsuit, Paramount was also awaiting FCC approval for its merger with Skydance at the time. The company said in a statement at the time that this was a “purely financial decision against the backdrop of the difficult circumstances of late night” and “has nothing to do with the show’s performance, content or any other issues going on at Paramount.”
But others argue differently, with GQ writer Zach Barron telling Colbert that both Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff have suggested the decision may be politically motivated. Warren even wrote in a Variety column: “Is it a coincidence that CBS canceled it just three days after Colbert’s remarks? Are we sure this isn’t part of a whirlwind deal between the president and a giant corporation that needs something from the administration?” President Trump praised the news on Truth Social, writing, “I’m so glad Colbert was fired. His talent was even less than he was given credit for.”
In response, Colbert told GQ that while he can understand how others come to that conclusion, it’s not his reading of the situation.
“That’s not my reaction. That’s my reaction as a show business professional. It’s the network’s decision,” Colbert told GQ. “I can understand why people would react that way, because CBS and the parent company — I won’t say who made that decision, because I don’t know, no one will tell me — are trying to get the U.S. over a lawsuit that their own lawyers, Paramount’s own lawyers, have argued is completely without merit. I don’t know why anyone would do that other than to curry favor with one individual. ”
Colbert added, “If people have a theory associating me with that, that’s a reasonable thing to think about, because CBS or a company once revealed that. But my side of the street is clean and I’m not interested in picking up a broom or adding trash on the other side of the street.” It’s not my problem. So people can have their theories. I have a feeling that I’m not going to do the show anymore, but I need to show why it’s going to be a profitable relationship with my network for the next nine years.” It took me months to engage in that speculation. ”
The late-night host, whose show ends in May 2026, continued that he has had a “great relationship with CBS.”
“One of the reasons this is so surprising and shocking is that there was no introduction,” Colbert said. “We’ve been doing budgeting and all that kind of stuff. We’ve been doing cuts and stuff like that. So, like I said, it was a surprise to me. But I meant what I said[on air]the next night when I found out, because I couldn’t sit down. They’ve been great partners. They really have been. They’ve been very supportive.”
Representatives for CBS and the White House did not immediately respond to Variety’s requests for comment.
Read more of Colbert’s profile in GQ here.
