Stephen Colbert’s long-standing feud with Donald Trump may be taking on new significance as the late-night comedian looks to secure his first Emmy. A Hollywood Reporter editor speculated that the recent cancellation of Colbert’s ‘The Late Show’ by CBS could play a role in his potential Emmy win, given the political tension surrounding the decision.
The show was canceled by CBS last Thursday, with the network attributing the decision to financial reasons, citing a reported annual loss of $40 million. However, some liberal commentators have suggested the cancellation was influenced by the network’s recent legal settlement with Trump and an ongoing merger with Skydance. Trump himself took to Truth Social to mock Colbert’s talent, claiming it was ‘even less than his ratings.’
Colbert responded to Trump’s criticism on his show, expressing his outrage with a sharp retort: ‘How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f— yourself.’ The situation has reignited discussions about the potential for Colbert to finally win an Emmy, with the Hollywood Reporter editor suggesting that the Emmys may see the political battle as a factor in the award.
According to the editor, the end of the ‘Late Show’ franchise and Trump’s public jabs may have created a situation where the Emmys could acknowledge the partisan battle. While an Emmy won’t change public policy on immigration or Medicaid, it’s a way for liberal Hollywood to ‘stick it to the leader they loathe.’ Colbert’s show is currently nominated for the best Outstanding Talk Series, competing against other late-night staples like ‘The Daily Show’ with Jon Stewart, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ and ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers.’
With a history of 31 Emmy nominations since his debut in 2015, an Emmy win for Colbert would give him a broader platform to continue criticizing Trump. The irony, as the editor pointed out, is that Trump’s stance may have indirectly led to Colbert’s potential Emmy win. This would provide the comedian with a significant audience to further his critique of the former president.