Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon will be the next to lose their shows following the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show.” Trump called the hosts “people with no talent” and celebrated Colbert’s exit, sparking backlash from comedians and fans.
Trump’s Reaction to Stephen Colbert’s Show Ending
CBS announced last week that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will end in May 2026 after a decade on air. The network cited financial losses of $40 million per year as the reason, though many speculate political motives due to Colbert’s frequent criticism of Trump.
Trump quickly responded on Truth Social, writing:
“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!”
He later added:
“The word is, and it’s a strong word at that, Jimmy Kimmel is NEXT to go in the untalented Late Night Sweepstakes and, shortly thereafter, Fallon will be gone. These are people with absolutely NO TALENT, who were paid Millions of Dollars for, in all cases, destroying what used to be GREAT Television. It’s really good to see them go, and I hope I played a major part in it!”
Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon Fire Back
Jimmy Kimmel responded by mocking Trump on Instagram, posting a screenshot of Trump’s message with the caption:
“I’m hearing you’re next. Or maybe it’s just another wonderful secret.”
This referenced a controversial letter Trump allegedly wrote to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, which included the phrase “may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump has denied writing it.
Comedian Chelsea Handler also joined in, commenting:
“You’ve played a major role in every single person to contemplate leaving this country. It’s amazing a president doesn’t have more important things to do like stop wars, make sure the country is safe from foreign enemies, or simply ensure that every family in this country can put food on their table.”
Jimmy Fallon addressed the situation on “The Tonight Show”, joking:
“I am your host. Well, at least for tonight. I don’t like it. I don’t like what’s going on one bit. These are crazy times. Stephen has done years of incredibly smart and hilarious television. He’s won 10 Emmys. Trump heard and was like, ‘Big deal. Last week, I just won a FIFA World Cup trophy.’”
Stephen Colbert’s Final Season
Colbert confirmed his show’s cancellation during a recent episode, telling his audience:
“Over the weekend it sunk in that they’re killing off our show. But they made one mistake: they left me alive. I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump, starting now.”
He later added:
“How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f*** yourself.”
Other late-night hosts, including Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver, showed support by appearing in a sketch on Colbert’s show. Stewart criticized CBS’ decision on “The Daily Show”, calling it a result of “fear and pre-compliance” in the current political climate.
Ratings and Financial Struggles in Late-Night TV
Despite being the most-watched late-night show, Colbert’s program was reportedly losing money due to declining ad revenue. Late-night TV as a whole has seen a 50% drop in ad earnings since 2018, with audiences shifting to digital platforms.
Current Late-Night Ratings (Q2 2025):
- “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” – 2.4 million viewers
- “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – 1.8 million viewers
- “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” – 1.2 million viewers
- “Gutfeld!” (Fox News) – 3.3 million viewers (highest overall)
While Trump praised Greg Gutfeld as “better than all of them combined,” industry experts argue that late-night TV’s struggles are due to changing viewer habits, not talent.
Political Controversy and CBS’ Merger Concerns
Some believe Colbert’s cancellation is linked to Paramount’s $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media, which requires government approval. Trump recently settled a lawsuit with CBS for $16 million, leading to speculation that the network is avoiding political conflicts.
Senator Elizabeth Warren demanded answers, stating:
“America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.”
What’s Next for Late-Night TV?
With Colbert’s show ending and contracts for Kimmel (2026), Stewart (2025), and Oliver (2026) nearing expiration, the future of late-night TV remains uncertain. Many hosts are focusing on digital platforms, where clips gain more traction than full episodes.
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Credits: Compiled from reports by Variety, CNN, Fox News, and Global News.
