Story perspectives

Trump Calls for CBS to Cancel Colbert Amid Low Approval

12/25/2025

Center

Trump Criticizes Colbert

U.S. President Donald Trump urged CBS to cancel Stephen Colbert's show.
Trump criticized Colbert's talent and ratings on Truth Social.
A recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) survey shows 31% approve of his handling of the economy.
Trump's overall approval rating remains underwater.
As 2026 midterms approach, Trump faces challenges including diverging views with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Department of Justice scrutiny over Epstein documents.

Left

Trump's Honors Decline

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
Preliminary Nielsen data show the ceremony drew an estimated 2.65 million viewers, a 35% drop from the previous year.
Critics and social media users reacted negatively, calling it an “epic fail.”
CBS News instructed staff not to refer to the event as the “Trump Kennedy Center Honors.”
Trump had previously claimed the event would receive rave reviews and high ratings.

History

Historical Context

In 2025, President Donald Trump faced backlash after appointing Richard Grenell as the Kennedy Center's interim executive director, leading to a 35% drop in viewership for the Kennedy Center Honors. This decline reflected broader discontent with Trump's leadership, evidenced by a 31% approval rating. The event's controversies foreshadowed potential shifts in cultural engagement as the 2026 midterms approached.

1 of 3

Trump Criticizes Colbert

U.S. President Donald Trump urged CBS to cancel Stephen Colbert's show.
Trump criticized Colbert's talent and ratings on Truth Social.
A recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) survey shows 31% approve of his handling of the economy.
Trump's overall approval rating remains underwater.
As 2026 midterms approach, Trump faces challenges including diverging views with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Department of Justice scrutiny over Epstein documents.

1 / 3