David Letterman explains the controversy behind CBS firing Stephen Colbert: “We don’t want any trouble from that guy”
The former “Late Show” host slams CBS and the network’s new ownership, claiming Colbert was axed to appease Trump allies.
David Letterman has launched a stinging attack on CBS following their decision to end “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and retire the whole franchise in 2026 after a 33-year run.
CBS explains Stephen Colbert decision
On July 17, the network released a statement describing the move as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.”
“Our admiration, affection, and respect for the talents of Stephen Colbert and his incredible team made this agonizing decision even more difficult,” read CBS’s statement. ”With much gratitude, we look forward to honoring Stephen and celebrating the show over the next 10 months alongside its millions of fans and viewers.”
David Letterman’s criticism of Paramount Global and CBS
Letterman, “The Late Show” creator, who preceded Colbert as host, firmly believes his fellow comedian, and the program as a consequence, has paid the price for being an outspoken critic of President Trump.
Speaking on “The Barbara Gaines Show” podcast, Letterman explained his theory that Skydance Media, which will soon own Paramount Global and, as a result, CBS, was desperate to avoid any more trouble with Trump. The president recently reached a $16 million settlement with Paramount over the editing of a “60 Minutes” interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
“They don’t want the government going after them”
“They don’t want any trouble along the lines of freedom of the press or free speech or freedom of expression,” Letterman began. “They don’t want to get their hands dirty. They don’t want the government going after them, because that concept of freedom of the press and freedom of speech, that’s so old-fashioned.
“So they say to the CBS people, ‘Geez, what about that kid, Stephen Colbert? He’s always shooting his mouth off about the administration. We don’t want any trouble from that guy,’” he continued.
But rather than just get rid of Colbert, the veteran broadcaster believes ‘New’ Paramount, led by Skydance founder David Ellison, saw an opportunity to completely eradicate a potential long-standing problem.
“So the CBS people say, ‘Hey, boys, here’s what I’m going to do. Not only are we going to get rid of that guy, we’re going to get rid of the entire franchise so you don’t have to worry about another guy. It’s gone, buddy.’”
“Gutless” CBS should be “embarrassed”
Eleven years after being replaced by Colbert, Letterman has nothing but praise for his successor, who he feels has been wronged by the network.
“They did not do the correct thing. They did not handle Stephen Colbert, the face of that network, in the way he deserves to have been handled. One day, if not today, the people at CBS who have manipulated and handled this are going to be embarrassed because this is gutless,” he concluded.
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