Story perspectives

CBS Axes Colbert After $16M Trump Settlement, Sparks Political Outcry

5/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

CBS ended Stephen Colbert's 11-year run as host of The Late Show after Paramount paid a $16 million settlement to President Donald Trump over a Kamala Harris interview.
President Donald Trump then posted a “RIP” message on Truth Social, calling Colbert “dead” and hinting at a “MAGA makeover” of television.
Critics say Trump leveraged FCC commissioner Brendan Carr and other tactics to pressure CBS, suggesting political interference in its programming decisions.

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Story summary

CBS ended Stephen Colbert's 11-year run as host of The Late Show after Paramount paid a $16 million settlement to President Donald Trump over a Kamala Harris interview.
President Donald Trump then posted a “RIP” message on Truth Social, calling Colbert “dead” and hinting at a “MAGA makeover” of television.
Critics say Trump leveraged FCC commissioner Brendan Carr and other tactics to pressure CBS, suggesting political interference in its programming decisions.