CBS announced Thursday that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will come to an end in May 2026, bringing a close to the network’s more than three-decade run of the late-night franchise.

The show, which has been hosted by Colbert since 2015 following David Letterman’s retirement, will not continue with a new host after Colbert’s departure, according to the network.

Former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann weighed in on the controversy following CBS’s announcement, responding to speculation that Colbert had been ousted for political reasons related to his criticism of President Donald Trump.

“Sorry. That’s not what happened here. If it had, they wouldn’t be keeping him on until next MAY,” Olbermann wrote in a post on X.

Olbermann’s comment came in response to an X user who accused CBS of censorship.

“We are officially at the ‘pulling comedians off the air who criticize our dear leader’ phase of fascism,” the user wrote, attaching a photo of Colbert.

Sorry. That’s not what happened here. If it had, they wouldn’t be keeping him on until next MAY

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) July 19, 2025

The announcement of the show’s cancellation drew a wave of reactions from progressive politicians and media figures, several of whom suggested that Colbert’s departure was politically motivated and possibly linked to CBS’s pending merger with Skydance Media, a company reportedly seeking regulatory approval.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders suggested that Colbert’s criticism of the deal may have played a role in the timing of CBS’s decision.

“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,” Sanders posted 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.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) July 18, 2025

Senator Adam Schiff of California also commented on the situation, writing, “If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”

Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was cancelled.

If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.

— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 17, 2025

CBS recently settled a lawsuit filed by President Trump, who accused the network of election interference.

The lawsuit stemmed from a 60 Minutes interview with then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Trump alleged that the broadcast had deceptively edited Harris’s remarks about the war in Gaza.

Prior to the interview’s official airing, a preview clip was released on Face the Nation in which Harris delivered a response that drew widespread criticism for being incoherent.

When the interview aired on 60 Minutes, a different, more composed answer was shown.

CBS did not publicly address the discrepancy beyond settling the matter with President Trump.

Despite the public speculation, CBS maintained that Colbert’s show was canceled for financial reasons.

The network claimed The Late Show was losing approximately $40 million per year.

While Colbert remains the leading network late-night host with an average of 2.4 million viewers per episode, his ratings consistently trail behind Gutfeld! on Fox News.

Overall late-night viewership has declined sharply in recent years, contributing to reduced advertising revenue across the board.

CBS cited these broader industry trends in its justification for the decision.

Colbert, who rose to prominence on Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, took over The Late Show in 2015.

Under his leadership, the program adopted a markedly partisan tone, often featuring pointed critiques of President Trump and Republican figures.

In the wake of the 2020 election, Colbert openly celebrated Joe Biden’s win during a live broadcast.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Joe Biden did it! He’s our next president! I’m so happy!” Colbert announced while popping a bottle of champagne.

On Monday’s #LSSC @Stephen@Home Colbert showed he’s a lot happier with the 2020 than 2016 presidential election outcome, breaking out champagne and T-shirt cannon over the Celebration song. pic.twitter.com/y4OM3JMwrm

— Brent Baker 🇺🇲🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@BrentHBaker) November 10, 2020

He also told his audience he cried tears of joy upon learning Trump would not be returning to office.