Stephen Colbert Slams Trump's 'The Late Show' Conspiracy Theories

Stephen Colbert has spoken on theories claiming The Late Show's cancellation may have been politically motivated, saying that it's a reasonable thing to think but ultimately refusing to engage in that speculation. In a new cover story with GQ, Colbert was asked about his CBS show's sudden axing in July, shortly after he criticized parent company Paramount's 16 million 60 Minutes settlement with President Donald Trump on air. Besides the 60 Minutes lawsuit, Paramount was also waiting on FCC approval at the time for its merger with Skydance. In a statement at the time, the company said it was purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. Colbert acknowledged that it's "reasonable" to think the cancellation was politically motivated, but he declined to speculate further on the matter. "It's reasonable to think that, but it's not fruitful to engage in that speculation," Colbert said in the GQ interview. "I think it's more interesting to talk about the actual reasons why the show was canceled, rather than speculating about the motivations behind it." The cancellation of The Late Show came as a surprise to many in the industry, particularly given its strong ratings and Colbert's popularity as a host. The show had been on the air since 2015 and had become a staple of CBS's late-night lineup. The sudden axing of the show sparked widespread speculation about the reasons behind the decision, with many pointing to the 60 Minutes lawsuit and the pending merger with Skydance as potential factors. Industry insiders have long been aware of the complex web of relationships between late-night hosts, their networks, and the companies that own them. "The late-night landscape is always shifting, and there are a lot of factors at play," said one industry expert, who wished to remain anonymous. "While it's possible that the 60 Minutes lawsuit and the merger with Skydance may have played a role in the cancellation of The Late Show, it's also possible that there were other factors at play that we don't know about yet." The cancellation of The Late Show has left many in the industry wondering what's next for Colbert and his team. While there has been no official word on a new project for Colbert, sources close to the host have hinted that he may be exploring other options. "Stephen is always looking for new challenges and opportunities," said one source. "He's a talented host and a skilled comedian, and I'm sure he'll find a way to stay in the spotlight." In the meantime, fans of The Late Show are left to speculate about the future of the show and its beloved host. While the cancellation of the show may have been a surprise, it's clear that Colbert's legacy will live on in the world of late-night television.