Bruce Springsteen used his penultimate appearance on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” to attack Donald Trump and CBS parent Paramount Skydance, while also calling out Larry and David Ellison. The remarks landed as the show heads toward its May 21 finale.
Bruce Springsteen walked onto the stage of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” on Wednesday like it was a victory lap—and then turned it into a takedown.
In what he framed as a sendoff for the host. Springsteen used the spotlight not just to praise Colbert. but to go after Donald Trump and Paramount Skydance. the CBS parent behind the program. Before he performed. he told the audience. “I’m here in support tonight for Stephen. because you’re the first guy in America who’s lost his show because we got a president who can’t take a joke … and because Larry and David Ellison feel they need to kiss his ass to get what they want … Stephen, these are small-minded people.”.
His final jab before he sang landed with a stark reminder of what he believes is at stake: “They got no idea what the freedoms of this beautiful country are supposed to be about.”
The message wasn’t delivered like a sudden shock. Springsteen has long been outspoken about Trump, and he was among the celebrities who supported and stumped for former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Still, the timing matters. “The Late Show” is ending over alleged financial reasons, but there are plenty who believe it’s being cut under political pressure—particularly with Trump as Colbert’s most obvious target. That tension has spilled beyond the show itself.
David Letterman, for example, pushed back on the money explanation, calling CBS brass a bunch of “lying weasels!”
The Colbert goodbye is now scheduled with a hard date: “The Late Show” is set to tape and air its final episode on May 21, bringing Colbert’s nearly 11-year run on CBS late-night to a close.
Bruce Springsteen Stephen Colbert The Late Show Paramount Skydance Donald Trump Larry Ellison David Ellison CBS David Letterman Kamala Harris May 21 2026