Democrats have criticised CBS for cancelling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, noting that the decision came shortly after the host criticised the network’s parent company, Paramount, for settling a $16m lawsuit with Donald Trump.
Senator Adam Schiff of California, who appeared as a guest on the show on Thursday, wrote on social media: “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.” Earlier in July, Paramount settled what Colbert called a “frivolous” lawsuit with Trump over claims that CBS News deceptively edited an interview with Kamala Harris. Paramount is also seeking approval for an $8.4bn merger with Skydance Media.
Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who has called for an investigation into Paramount’s relationship with Trump, wrote: “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount.” Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington added: “People deserve to know if this is a politically motivated attack on free speech.”
Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, echoed these concerns, saying: “Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late night host, slams the deal. Days later, he’s fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO.”
CBS announced it would retire the show after Colbert’s contract ends in May, cutting short a 33-year run that began with David Letterman in 1993. In a joint statement, Paramount and CBS said the cancellation was “purely a financial decision” and that Colbert was “irreplaceable”, denying any link to performance or content. Trump, however, celebrated the cancellation on social media, calling Colbert talentless and suggesting that Jimmy Kimmel would be next.
