Fox News host Howard Kurtz isn’t buying that CBS axed Stephen Colbert solely for financial reasons. Kurtz called out CBS’ parent company Paramount on Media Buzz Sunday, accusing it of cancelling The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in order to gain President Donald Trump’s approval.

Whatever happened, fellow late-night comedian John Oliver finds the whole thing “incredibly sad.” Oliver commented on the cancellation while promoting the Erie Moon Mammoths, his rebrand for the minor league baseball team, the Erie SeaWolves.

President Donald Trump was gleeful over Stephen Colbert's cancellation, saying his "talent was even less than his ratings" on Truth Social.

Colbert notably clowned Paramount and described the settlement as a “big fat bribe” on Monday’s show, jokes that sparked speculation that the program’s cancellation was politically motivated and led the show’s union to call for an investigation into CBS’ decision.

The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert tempted fate when he called Paramount Global’s $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump a “big fat bribe” earlier this week. Three days later, CBS announced it would end his show after the upcoming 2025-2026 season.

Trump takes victory lap over CBS axing Colbert and calls out ‘moron’ Fallon, too - CBS has claimed that the cancellation of Trump-bashing show was a ‘financial decision’ despite timing of merger

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert started out on Thursday with the host making the bombshell announcement that CBS was canceling the show, effective next May. That wasn’t addressed in his interview with Sen.