‘Pure lack of talent': Trump says Stephen Colbert's show axed due to $50 million loss; Kimmel and Fallon next in line ?
'Everybody is saying that I was solely responsible for the firing of Stephen Colbert from CBS, Late Night. That is not true!' Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday (local time).
'The reason he was fired was a pure lack of TALENT, and the fact that this deficiency was costing CBS $50 Million Dollars a year in losses — And it was only going to get WORSE!'
Trump, also went on to suggest that other late-night hosts would soon meet a similar fate.
'Next up will be an even less talented Jimmy Kimmel, and then, a weak, and very insecure, Jimmy Fallon. The only real question is, who will go first? Show Biz and Television is a very simple business. If you get Ratings, you can say or do anything. If you don't, you always become a victim. Colbert became a victim to himself, the other two will follow.'
Trump's post followed CBS's announcement last Thursday that The Late Show would end in May 2026, marking the close of a 33-year run.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
According to BBC, the network called this move 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night [television]' and insisted it was 'not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters.'
Colbert, who broke the news to his audience during a taping of the show that evening, was met with boos and cries of 'no' from the crowd at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York.
'I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners,' BBC cited the host.
'It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of The Late Show on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away,' he said.
'It is a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it.'
Colbert took over the programme from David Letterman in 2015 and became one of Trump's most prominent critics in the late-night television sphere.
The cancellation came two weeks after CBS parent company Paramount settled a lawsuit filed by Trump.
The president had accused the network of deceptively editing a 60 Minutes interview with his 2024 rival, Kamala Harris, to 'tip the scales in favour of the Democratic party.'
Colbert's show was has long been criticised by conservative commentators over alleged political bias. According to MRC NewsBusters, a right-leaning media watchdog, the programme hosted 176 liberal guests and only one Republican between 2022 and 2025.
The 61-year-old presenter's frequent jabs at Donald Trump have fuelled speculation that the cancellation may have had political undertones, despite the agency citing financial reasons.
The end of The Late Show also comes amid ongoing merger talks between Paramount and Skydance Media, a deal that would need federal government approval. If the show concludes as planned in 2026, CBS will be left without a late-night comedy programme for the first time since 1993.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
11 minutes ago
- India Today
Trump frustrated with India trade talks, sees 25% tariff as remedy: White House aide
US President Donald Trump is 'frustrated' with the progress of trade deal talks with India and believes that imposing a 25 per cent tariff will 'remedy' the situation. The tariff on Indian goods is set to take effect on August 1, after Washington and New Delhi failed to finalise an interim trade agreement before Trump's self-imposed August 1 deadline.'Well, India has had a market that's been pretty much closed to American products, and we've been wide open to theirs. And I think President Trump is frustrated with the progress we've made with India, but feels that a 25 per cent tariff will address and remedy the situation in a way that's good for the American people,' said White House economic adviser Kevin also announced an additional penalty, criticising India for its continued purchases of oil and military equipment from Russia. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: 'Remember, while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high, among the highest in the World, and they have the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any Country. Also, they have always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia, and are Russia's largest buyer of ENERGY, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE — ALL THINGS NOT GOOD! INDIA WILL THEREFORE BE PAYING A TARIFF OF 25%, PLUS A PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE, STARTING ON AUGUST FIRST. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. MAGA!'The decision comes after the failure to reach an interim trade deal, with Trump reportedly dissatisfied with the outcomes secured by his negotiators. 'What's going to happen is that India is going to cut their prices to the US in order to maintain their market share,' Hassett added. 'Then they might reconsider their practices, which have led to this higher rate. And over time, I would guess the Indian firms will be onshoring production in the US, and Indians might even open their markets more to us, so that we reconsider a future trade deal.'INDIA'S RESPONSE TO TRUMP'S 25% TARIFFIn response, India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated that it is assessing the impact of the US move, but emphasised that national interest remains paramount. "The Government attaches the utmost importance to protecting and promoting the welfare of our farmers, entrepreneurs, and MSMEs. The Government will take all steps necessary to secure our national interest, as has been the case with other trade agreements, including the latest Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the UK,' the ministry reiterated its commitment to working toward a 'reciprocally advantageous trade agreement,' but with Trump escalating pressure tactics, the path forward remains uncertain.- Ends
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Won't let anyone attack the dollar': Trump says US in talks with India after 25% tariff bombshell
US President Donald Trump said that the United States is negotiating with India after announcing a sweeping 25% tariff on Indian imports starting August 1. Speaking to reporters, Trump said India has 'one of the highest tariffs in the world,' but signalled that New Delhi may be willing to 'substantially reduce tariffs' as talks continue. Show more Show less
Hindustan Times
11 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Kamala Harris announces she will not run for California governor in 2026
Former US vice president Kamala Harris ruled out running for governor of California on Wednesday, in a statement that offered little explanation for her decision but warned that the nation was in "a moment of crisis." Kamala Harris represented the Golden State in the Senate and has served as its attorney general.(File/AFP) The Democrat -- defeated last year by Donald Trump in a tumultuous presidential election -- had been mulling a run for the governorship of her home state in 2026, with Democratic incumbent Gavin Newsom stepping down. She had set an end-of-summer deadline for announcing her plans after leaving Washington in January. "I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I've decided that I will not run for governor in this election," Harris said in a statement. Harris, 60, would have been the favorite had she thrown her hat in the ring -- she was the state's top choice, according to polling earlier in July from the University of California, Irvine -- yet she offered no explanation for her decision. Her retreat from the gubernatorial contest means she could in theory decide to try again for the White House in 2028. The political world had been in suspense about the former vice president's plans since her loss to Trump, when she came into the race late to replace an ailing president Joe Biden atop the Democratic ticket. While she was out of the limelight, Harris had been reaching out to longtime supporters and donors to gauge enthusiasm for her candidacy to run the country's most populous state, and one of the world's largest economies. She represented the Golden State in the Senate and has served as its attorney general, and was seen as having the advantage of wide name recognition that would help with setting up a deep campaign war chest. Harris said the country was in a "moment of crisis" caused by politics, government and US institutions failing the American people. She called for "fresh thinking -- committed to our same values and principles, but not bound by the same playbook." "I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans," she added. The election for the next California governor takes place on November 3 next year. Republican businessman Rick Caruso came a distant second to Harris in the UC Irvine poll -- but 40 percent of respondents said they were not yet sure who they wanted to replace Newsom. The sitting governor cannot run again and is seen as a leading potential Democratic candidate for the next presidential election.
