The American network, it is alleged by the union, made its decision under political duress after a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has demanded an inquiry into the sudden termination of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by CBS and its parent corporation, Paramount Global, asserting that the action was politically driven.
Earlier this week, CBS confirmed its intention to discontinue the long-standing late-night show in May 2026, effectively ending the Late Show franchise after more than thirty years. Executives attributed the choice to decreasing advertising income and evolving audience behaviors.
“While cancellations are inherent to the industry,” stated the WGA’s East and West Coast divisions in a joint declaration on Friday, “ending a program in bad faith due to political influence is perilous and intolerable in a democratic society.” The guild implored New York state authorities to initiate an official inquiry.
The WGA pointed out that the show’s termination came after CBS’s recent $16 million agreement with President Donald Trump, who had filed a lawsuit against the network for alleged media prejudice. The litigation originated from a 60 Minutes segment that Trump asserted defamed him during its 2024 election reporting. Paramount, without admitting fault, consented to the payment earlier this month.
On air, Colbert condemned the settlement as a “substantial payoff,” linking it to Paramount Global’s continued endeavors to obtain regulatory consent for a merger with Skydance Media — a transaction that might draw government oversight.
The WGA characterized the payment as a “surrender to President Trump,” contending that Colbert’s show was axed, thereby compromising free speech, in an attempt to gain favor with regulators prior to the merger.
Other hosts of late-night programs voiced their indignation regarding the decision. The Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon, stated his shock, whereas Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel articulated his support for Colbert and strongly censured CBS.
Trump applauded the show’s termination in a Truth Social update, further commenting, “I’ve heard Jimmy Kimmel is next. Possesses even less talent than Colbert!”
Although CBS has endeavored to uphold impartiality, Colbert has often lampooned Trump with wit and satire, on one occasion labeling the former president’s conduct as authoritarian.
Notwithstanding the dispute, The Late Show garnered an average of 3.61 million viewers during the 2024–2025 season — a 16% increase from the prior year — establishing it as the most-viewed late-night broadcast during the autumn season.