The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, as CBS has announced it will retire the iconic late-night franchise altogether after a 33-year run. Colbert, who’s hosted since 2015, told his audience he learned of the cancellation just one night before going on air.
The announcement comes just days after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount, accusing it of paying a “$16 million bribe” to settle a lawsuit with Donald Trump, fueling speculation that the cancellation may be politically motivated.
While CBS says the decision was “purely financial,” critics aren’t buying it. Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren have already called for answers, questioning the timing and transparency of the move.
