Full Breakdown
Trump’s Truth Social Rant After Stephen Colbert’s CBS Exit
5/22/2026, 9:03:57 PM
Trump’s Post-Firing Rant on Truth Social
President Donald Trump posted a series of messages on Truth Social in the early hours following the final episode of *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* on Thursday. In the posts he declared “Colbert is finally finished at CBS,” and later added a grim “RIP” sign-off, suggesting a broader “bloodbath” for late-night hosts he deems “untalented.” The messages were published between 2 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the day after the show’s conclusion.
Background: CBS’s Late-Night Restructuring and MAGA-Linked Ownership
CBS announced the termination of Colbert’s contract last year as part of a strategic shift after the network’s acquisition by Paramount Global, a company described by critics as “MAGA-friendly.” The decision coincided with Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump over a broadcast interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris. The move ended Colbert’s 11-year tenure on the network.
Key Figures and Organizations
- President Donald Trump – Former U.S. president, active on Truth Social.
- Stephen Colbert – Host of *The Late Show*, dismissed by CBS.
- CBS – Broadcast network that aired *The Late Show*.
- Paramount Global – Parent company of CBS, involved in a settlement with Trump.
- Brendan Carr – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) official cited by critics as an “attack dog” used by Trump.
Data and Financial Stakes
- CBS reportedly lost $50 million annually attributed to Colbert’s program, according to Trump’s statements.
- Paramount’s settlement with Trump amounted to $16 million.
- Colbert’s show had been on the air for 11 years, generating ratings that Trump characterized as “poorly rated.”
Official Statements and Responses
President Trump denied any direct involvement in the firing, posting: “Everybody is saying that I was solely responsible for the firing of Stephen Colbert from CBS, Late Night. That is not true!” CBS has not issued a detailed comment within the provided sources, but the network’s announcement framed the change as a business decision linked to the new ownership structure.
Criticism and Opposition
Media analysts and political commentators argue that Trump’s reaction reflects an inability to tolerate criticism from late-night hosts, a pattern they trace to previous disputes with Jimmy Kimmel and other comedians. Critics also note the use of FCC official Brendan Carr as a potential tool to pressure networks, describing the president’s tactics as “underhanded.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Colbert is finally finished at CBS,” — President Donald Trump, Truth Social post
- “Amazing that he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life. He was like a dead person. You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk. Thank goodness he’s finally gone!” — President Donald Trump, Truth Social post
- “CBS should terminate his contract and pick almost anyone, right off the street, who would do better, and for FAR LESS MONEY.” — President Donald Trump, Truth Social post
- “I mean, how silly would it be? The ending of the show aside, which people can speculate about all they want, and I can’t argue with their speculations, but we’re clowns. How much does it diminish the office of the presidency to even notice what we say?” — Stephen Colbert, interview with *People*
Why It Matters: Media and Political Implications
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions between political figures and entertainment media, highlighting how executive-level ownership changes can intersect with partisan narratives. Trump’s public condemnation of a high-profile media personality may influence future network decisions, affect advertiser confidence, and shape public discourse on the boundaries of political criticism in late-night television.
