People take part in a demonstration called "Colbert stays! Trump must go," in front of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York on July 21, 2025. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
At a time when many institutions seem inclined to bow to Trump's power, American comedians are trying to resist. Their first target: Stephen Colbert, who mocked Donald Trump night after night on CBS. The US president described him as "a total loser."
On July 17, CBS announced it would end The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026, a program Colbert has hosted since 2015. Paramount, CBS's parent company, cited "financial reasons." Victims of streaming and audiences splintering across platforms and social media, the big networks' satirical shows no longer have the impact they once enjoyed 20 years ago, when Jay Leno or David Letterman orchestrated Americans' late nights.
But the financial argument convinced no one. With an average of 2.4 million viewers, Colbert's Late Show leads the ratings for late-night programming. After a rocky start in 2015, he overtook his rivals, thanks especially to a strong anti-Trump stance. Since the billionaire's return to office in January, the show has once again become a pressure valve for the Democratic base, who delight in Colbert's relentless barbs.
