Colbert Reacts to Political Speculation About Show’s End

Stephen Colbert, the longtime host of The Late Show, addressed recent speculation that the show’s cancellation might have political motivations in an interview with GQ published on November 3, 2025.

When asked about comments from Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren, who questioned whether the cancellation was politically influenced, Colbert responded diplomatically, noting that while people are entitled to their theories, he personally focuses on the professional and business side of show production.

“If people have theories that associate me with that, it’s a reasonable thing to think,” Colbert said.

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CBS’s Decision to End The Late Show

In July 2025, CBS and its parent company Paramount announced that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would not continue beyond May 2026, ending Colbert’s decade-long tenure since taking over from David Letterman.

Colbert explained that he was surprised by the decision and emphasized his positive relationship with CBS, noting that he was never given a preamble or detailed explanation for the cancellation.

“There was no preamble to this. We do budgets and everything like that… So that’s why it was surprising to me,” Colbert said.

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Context: Trump Settlement and CBS Finances

Colbert referenced a controversial $16 million settlement CBS paid to former President Donald Trump over a lawsuit deemed “without merit” by Paramount’s own lawyers. The settlement occurred amid the Skydance merger, which required network approval.

While Colbert acknowledged that this event could fuel speculation about political motives behind the show’s cancellation, he insisted that his side of the street remains clean, and he does not intend to engage in conspiracy theories:

“But my side of the street is clean and I have no interest in picking up a broom or adding to refuse on the other side of the street. Not my problem.”

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Reflecting on a Decade at The Late Show

Colbert expressed gratitude for the network’s support over the years, highlighting that the show’s success didn’t happen overnight and that CBS gave them sufficient time to develop and find their rhythm.

“They stood by us… and we delivered for them what we wanted. And that only made our relationship better.”

He reiterated that his focus remains on finishing the show strong over the remaining months, emphasizing professionalism and dedication to his audience.

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Final Thoughts

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs weekdays at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS, and Colbert will continue hosting until the final episode in May 2026. Despite political speculation, the host maintains a focus on show business professionalism rather than public conjecture.