Trump denies he caused Colbert cancellation and reveals which late night comic is 'next up'

Daily Mail​

6 days ago

President Donald Trump denied rumors he was the reason Stephen Colbert 's long-running talk show was axed.
Although he claimed to not be responsible, the president issued a warning to Colbert's fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.
Colbert's decade-long stint as the host of The Late Show will come to an end in May after CBS canceled the program following a $16million settlement with Trump.
Trump publicly celebrated the axing, sparking theories that he was involved in the decision.
He clarified on Truth Social on Sunday that he was not 'solely responsible.'
'Everybody is saying that I was solely responsible for the firing of Stephen Colbert from CBS, Late Night. That is not true,' he argued.
'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 went on to warn that both Kimmel and Fallon's jobs could now be on the line.
'Next up will be an even less talented Jimmy Kimmel, and then, a weak, and very insecure, Jimmy Fallon,' he wrote.
President Donald Trump has denied rumors he is the reason Stephen Colbert 's long running talk show was axed while simultaneously issuing a chilling warning to Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon
'The only real question is, who will go first?'
Trump, who once gained reality television notoriety as the face of The Apprentice, tried to offer the trio a lesson in showbusiness, writing: '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 show The Apprentice ran for 15 seasons before it was ultimately canceled when NBC and Trump parted ways in 2016.
CBS announced the cancellation of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert earlier this month, just days after the host blasted the network's $16million settlement with Trump as a 'big fat bribe.'
Executives said the decision was made after the show's revenue plummeted by around $40 million a year.
'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season,' they said in a statement.
'We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire the Late Show franchise at that time,' the executives continued. 'We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and his broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late night television.'
He wrote on Truth Social on Sunday that he was not 'solely responsible'
The network explained that the decision to cancel the show is 'purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.'
'It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,' it added.
But Colbert has not held back in his criticism of his employers since the decision was finalized, telling crowds: 'They made one mistake, they left me alive! For the next ten months, the gloves are off!'
He dedicated much of his first show back after the announcement to criticizing the network, inviting other liberal late night talk show hosts and comedians onto his program to stand united against the decision.
Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Adam Sandler and Lin-Manuel Miranda all appeared in the segment.
He then cut to various famous people in pairs on the 'kiss cam,' including CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and Bravo stalwart Andy Cohen, who pretended to make out. Adam Sandler and Happy Gilmore co-star Christopher McDonald, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers and John Oliver and Jon Stewart also appeared
Addressing Trump's criticism of him directly, Colbert said: 'How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f*** yourself.'
At the same time, he hit back at Trump's past warnings that Kimmel could follow him out the door.
'Nope, no, no. Absolutely not. Kimmel, I am the martyr. There's only room for one on this cross. And the view is fantastic from up here. I can see your house!'