Donald Trump posted on Truth Social in the early hours with a cutting remark aimed at Stephen Colbert after Late Show wrapped up.
The long-running late-night programme ended this week after 33 years on air. Colbert fronted the show for more than a decade, taking over from David Letterman, who launched the series back in 1993.
For the final run, a host of familiar faces stopped by, including Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro and Ryan Reynolds. Colbert opened by telling both the studio crowd and viewers at home that the finale would still look like a typical episode.
“At first, when we knew this was gonna be our last night, we were planning on doing a huge special this evening,”
He shared the thought with the audience as he explained the show’s approach to the last broadcast.
“But the thing is, we like to think every episode of The Late Show is kind of special.”
Before the final episode aired, Trump was asked what he made of the upcoming finale, and he suggested he would address it later.
“I’ll have a message at a later date,” Trump said.
That “later date” arrived just hours later, when the president used Truth Social to deliver a pointed post that included a controversial remark comparing Colbert to a “dead person.”
“Colbert is finally finished at CBS. Amazing that he lasted so long! No talent, no ratings, no life. He was like a dead person. You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk. Thank goodness he’s finally gone!”
CBS revealed last July that The Late Show would be ending, describing the move as a decision driven by finances rather than anything connected to the content of the programme.
“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season.
“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time.”
“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”
The cancellation announcement also came shortly after Colbert criticised Paramount for agreeing to a $16 million settlement with Trump. The settlement related to allegations that 60 Minutes—which is produced by the network—misleadingly edited a 2024 interview with Kamala Harris ahead of the presidential election.
Trump had originally sought $10 billion in damages, accusing the programme of what he described as “fake” reporting.