Stephen Colbert isn't feeling any sympathy for himself, now that his show is headed off the air, nor for his favorite punching bag, President Trump, still neck-deep in controversy over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

CBS's 'The Late Show' with Stephen Colbert will conclude in 2026, a decision criticized as politically motivated. Fellow comedians, including Jon Stewart and John Oliver, showed their support. The cancellation is seen amidst financial decisions by CBS and amidst Paramount's merger pursuits.

The controversy deepened after reports that Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to Trump’s foundation to settle a lawsuit over a past 60 Minutes interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris.

Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a staple of late-night US television, will end in 2026, the CBS network said, days after the comedian blasted parent company Paramount’s US$16 million ($27m) settlement with President Donald Trump as “a big fat bribe”.