Lawmakers are questioning whether the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s late-night program, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” by CBS is motivated by political reasons, especially after Paramount, the network’s parent company, settled a lawsuit with former President Donald Trump for $16 million. The settlement came after a dispute over the editing of an interview on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” that Trump claimed was defamatory. Colbert announced the cancellation of his show on Thursday, stating it would conclude after its next season.
While CBS has not publicly disclosed the reason for the cancellation, some lawmakers have suggested that the decision could be influenced by the ongoing legal and political tensions with Trump and his allies. The network’s parent, Paramount, has been embroiled in several legal battles, including this settlement, which has raised questions about the company’s political alignment. The timing of the cancellation has fueled speculation about whether corporate interests played a role in the decision, though CBS has emphasized that the move is part of a broader strategic shift in its programming lineup.