Keith Olbermann Challenges Claims of Political Motives Behind Colbert's Cancellation
Keith Olbermann, the former MSNBC host, has publicly addressed the speculation surrounding Stephen Colbert's recent cancellation from CBS, dismissing claims that it was politically motivated. “Sorry. That’s not what happened here. If it had, they wouldn’t be keeping him on until next MAY,” he stated in a post on X.
CBS confirmed on Thursday that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would conclude in May 2026, marking the end of a franchise that has spanned over three decades. Following Colbert’s exit, no successor will take over the show.
Previously, the late-night slot was held by David Letterman from 1992 until 2015. Olbermann's comments came in response to a user on X who suggested that Colbert’s firing indicated a troubling shift towards fascism in the United States. The user claimed, “We are officially at the ‘pulling comedians off the air who criticize our dear leader’ phase of fascism,” alongside an image of Colbert.
In the wake of CBS's announcement, several left-leaning politicians and journalists voiced their concerns, alleging that Colbert’s termination was indeed politically charged. They speculated that his dismissal—especially given his vocal criticism of President Trump—was an effort to appease White House officials amid a merger between CBS’s parent company, Paramount, and Skydance.
Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders expressed skepticism about the timing of Colbert's cancellation, stating on X, “CBS’s billionaire owners pay Trump $16 million to settle a bogus lawsuit while trying to sell the network to Skydance. Stephen Colbert, an extraordinary talent and the most popular late-night host, slams the deal. Days later, he’s fired. Do I think this is a coincidence? NO.”
Senator Adam Schiff from California also weighed in, asserting that if political motivations were behind the cancellation, “the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”
The controversy surrounding CBS and Trump stems from a lawsuit filed by the former president alleging election interference related to a “60 Minutes” interview with his 2024 opponent, former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump claimed the segment was deceptively edited.
A clip from this interview, which included Harris discussing the war in Gaza, was released on “Face the Nation” before the “60 Minutes” airing and was criticized for being incoherent. When broadcasted, a more succinct response replaced the original.
Despite the political discourse, CBS attributed the cancellation of “The Late Show” to financial issues, citing losses of approximately $40 million annually. Colbert has consistently ranked as the top host in his late-night time slot among network talk shows, averaging around 2.4 million viewers per episode, although he often trails behind Fox’s Gutfeld.
The overall viewership for late-night talk shows has been on a decline in recent years, contributing to reduced advertising revenues across the board.
Colbert took over hosting duties for the “Late Show” after Letterman’s retirement, following his success with the “Colbert Report” on Comedy Central. Upon assuming control of the franchise, he opted for a more partisan approach, focusing heavily on criticism of Trump rather than adhering to a more neutral format.
Fox News Digital has reached out to CBS for further comment regarding this situation.
In a notable moment during his tenure, after Joe Biden won the 2020 election, Colbert celebrated on air with champagne and dance, exclaiming his joy over the election results. “Ladies and gentlemen, Joe Biden did it! He’s our next president! I’m so happy!” he declared, sharing that he cried tears of joy upon learning Trump would no longer hold office.
