Reporter Claims Trump’s Involvement in Colbert’s Show Cancellation

Fox News articles are now available for listening. Longtime reporter Bill Carter has alleged that President Donald Trump played a direct role in the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show, citing Trump’s reaction to its last episode. Carter expressed his concern on ‘The Weekend’ broadcast of MS Now, highlighting that an AI-generated video shared by Trump suggests a personal involvement. In this video, Trump is shown pulling Colbert into a dumpster, dancing to ‘Y.M.C.A.’ afterward.

The series finale of ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ aired on May 21. Carter, author of ‘The Late Shift’ which covered the rivalry between former hosts David Letterman and Jay Leno, believes that Trump’s longstanding conflict with Colbert contributed to the show’s termination. He commented that governmental efforts to silence a critic were against American values, stating, ‘We don’t shut people up because they criticize us.’

Trump further acknowledged Colbert’s departure with a critical post on Truth Social. Subsequently, Carter accused CBS of yielding to Trump administration pressures, suggesting the decision lacked genuine financial justification. ‘I think CBS, when they capitulated in the lawsuit that Trump filed against ’60 Minutes,’ was sending a signal that they’re not going to be the independent journalism outfit that they should be.’

CBS previously announced the show’s cancellation due to financial issues, despite Colbert’s denial of this claim. Reports indicated ‘The Late Show’ incurred $40 million in annual losses for the network. Throughout its concluding years, Colbert frequently mocked Trump, with a study from the Media Research Center noting 3,639 jokes directed at the president from January 3, 2023, until the show’s conclusion.

Fox News Digital sought comment from the White House regarding Carter’s accusations. Additionally, Colbert’s persistent ridicule of Trump was highlighted, with the Media Research Center attributing substantial joke counts towards the president in the show’s final year.