Jamie Lee Curtis Suggests Political Motive Behind Stephen Colbert Exit

Stephen Colbert shocked fans and the entertainment industry alike this week with a surprise announcement that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” will come to an end in May 2026.

The announcement sent shockwaves across Hollywood and beyond, with many seeing the move as yet another sign of the changing late-night TV landscape.

But for others, it was viewed as something even more pointed, especially since Stephen Colbert’s announcement came shortly after the late-night host made a controversial joke about the president.

“It’s bad, he’s a great, great guy,” she wrote. “Yes, they’re trying to silence people, but it won’t work. It won’t work. We will just get louder.”

While Curtis didn’t name names, her comment echoed concerns shared by others that “The Late Show”’s end may be linked to mounting political pressure, particularly from allies of Donald Trump. Colbert has long been one of the former president’s most vocal late-night critics, delivering nightly monologues that often take aim at Trump and his policies.

Jamie Lee Curtis has long been outspoken about her political beliefs, particularly when it comes to President Donald Trump.

Over the years, she has used her platform to advocate for progressive causes and speak out against what she views as threats to democracy. During the most recent presidential election, Curtis delivered a passionate call to action on social media, urging her followers to “wake up and fight.”

She emphasized the importance of standing up for women, children, and future generations, and encouraged Americans to resist tyranny “one day at a time. One fight at a time. One protest at a time.”

The show’s cancellation comes amid increasing tension between Trump and the media.

Around the same time as Colbert’s announcement, the president filed a $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, its parent company NewsCorp, and several individuals, including Rupert Murdoch. The suit stems from reporting on alleged birthday letters tied to Jeffrey Epstein, which Trump claims were used to falsely link him to the disgraced financier.

While speculation surrounding the sudden cancellation circulates, according to network execs, the decision has nothing to do with ratings or controversy.

“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” George Cheeks, CBS’ president and co-chief executive of CBS parent company Paramount, said in a statement. “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

While CBS insists Colbert’s cancellation is due to financial reasons, many believe the timing is no coincidence, especially with Paramount, CBS’s parent company, facing scrutiny over recent settlements and its ongoing merger talks with Skydance Media.