Trump Denies Role in Colbert’s Firing, Blames ‘Lack of Talent’ and CBS Losses
President Trump is pushing back against claims that he orchestrated the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, distancing himself from the controversy that has ignited backlash and raised ethical questions in Washington and across the entertainment industry.
“Everyone’s saying I got Stephen Colbert fired from CBS. That’s not true,” Trump posted Tuesday on Truth Social. “He was fired because he had no talent and was losing CBS $50 million a year and it was only going to get worse!”
While Trump is denying direct involvement, the timing of Colbert’s removal has fueled speculation. CBS’s decision came shortly after Paramount the network’s parent company reached a $15 million legal settlement with Trump’s foundation over a 60 Minutes segment that featured then–Vice President Kamala Harris. The settlement was announced just as Paramount was seeking federal approval for a multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance Media a deal greenlit by Trump’s FCC days later.
The appearance of a quid pro quo has triggered an uproar. Colbert himself accused Paramount of paying a “big fat bribe” to the president in exchange for smoothing the way for the merger. Press freedom advocates have since filed an ethics complaint against FCC Chairman Brendan Carr over his public remarks on the matter. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have called for a congressional investigation into the Skydance deal, the $15 million settlement, and the Colbert cancellation.
Trump, while denying any coordination, did not shy away from mocking his critics in late-night TV.
“Colbert was just the beginning,” he added on Truth Social. “Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon are probably next.”
Trump’s comments are likely to intensify scrutiny on CBS and Paramount, especially as media watchdogs and lawmakers explore whether the cancellation was a financial decision or a political favor wrapped in a billion-dollar business deal.
The fallout is unfolding in real time, with free speech advocates warning that the situation sets a dangerous precedent if political pressure played any role in shaping the late-night landscape. Whether Colbert’s departure was pure business or politically motivated remains the question swirling around one of the most high-profile media shakeups in years.