Trump threatens – Stephen Colbert signed off for the final episode of “The Late Show” on Thursday, and President Donald Trump marked the moment with a late-night Truth Social post calling Colbert a “total jerk.” Trump then suggested other late-night hosts are “to soon follow,”
Stephen Colbert’s final “Late Show” moment landed late Thursday, and by nearly 2 a.m. ET, President Donald Trump was already there—on Truth Social—with praise that didn’t sound like praise.
In the post, Trump celebrated Colbert’s sign-off and wrote, “amazing that he lasted so long!” He followed with an insult-laced take on Colbert’s career, saying, “No talent, no ratings, no life.”
Trump went further, calling Colbert “like a dead person” and claiming, “You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk. Thank goodness he’s finally gone!”
Then. as Colbert’s 11-year run wrapped up. Trump turned from celebration to a broader threat aimed at other late-night figures. Early Friday morning. he wrote that Stephen Colbert’s firing from CBS was “the ‘Beginning of the End’ for untalented. nasty. highly overpaid. not funny. and very poorly rated Late Night Television Hosts.” He added: “Others. of even less talent. to soon follow. May they all Rest in Peace!”.
Those comments arrived against a backdrop Colbert’s fans could recognize instantly. Colbert ended his run hosting “The Late Show” on Thursday as the yearslong leader in late-night ratings. His extended final episode was filled with celebrity cameos congratulating him on his time in the chair. including appearances from Bryan Cranston and Paul Rudd. along with a performance by Paul McCartney that tipped a hat to the Ed Sullivan Theater’s history.
Trump’s post didn’t mention his name in the way Colbert’s defenders might have expected. Instead, the comedian replaced appreciation with anger—and the show itself tried to land the opposite feeling. Colbert told the audience. “This show has been a joy for us to do for you. ” adding that “we call this show the joy machine because to do this many shows. it has to be a machine.” He then said that if you do it “with joy. ” it “doesn’t hurt as much when your fingers get caught in the gears.”.
Colbert’s CBS departure, however, has been part of a larger dispute for more than a year. CBS canceled “The Late Show” last year. days after Colbert called Paramount’s $16 million settlement a “big fat bribe” to get federal approval for its merger with David Ellison’s Skydance. CBS said the decision was based strictly on financial grounds. a position the post’s critics described as another example of the network giving in to the president.
Trump celebrated Colbert’s firing last year as well. Since taking office, he has used his presidential perch to call for the firings of late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and even Jimmy Fallon.
With Colbert now officially off the air, Trump’s message on Friday morning read like a new page turning—only with the promise that the fight he picked may not be finished.
Stephen Colbert The Late Show Donald Trump Truth Social CBS Paramount Skydance late-night TV Jimmy Kimmel Seth Meyers Jimmy Fallon Paul McCartney Bryan Cranston Paul Rudd
Colbert’s a jerk? wow. people really will say anything on Truth Social.
I don’t even watch late night but isn’t it kinda wild Trump is threatening other hosts like it’s a competition. “to soon follow” sounds like he wants them all gone or something.
Wait so Trump said Colbert had “no life”?? That’s messed up. But also Colbert was on for like 11 years so I’m not sure why Trump acting like it’s some breaking news or like CBS fired him because of ratings. seems more personal than anything.
They keep saying Colbert got “the beginning of the end” and then Trump says “may they all rest in peace”?? that’s dark. Also I’m confused because the article says Colbert ended his run but then talks about firing from CBS? so did he get fired or did he just leave. either way late night is probably dead anyway.