Colbert confirmed the cancellation during a show taping on Thursday. CBS said the move was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night."

Prominent political figures as well as Hollywood stars have reacted with disgust over the news that 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' will end its run in 2026.

“ Late Show ” host Stephen Colbert went after President Donald Trump on Thursday, the same day it was announced that his show had been canceled. And he focused on two issues the president does not like to talk about: his health, and his links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Later, Schiff did address CBS’ decision to cancel Late Show, writing on X, “Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was cancelled. If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better.”

In a move commenters described as having "Craig Ferguson vibes," Stephen Colbert and Joaquin Phoenix spent the last moments of their Late Show interview in awkward silence.

Colbert’s cancellation came days after he mocked Paramount, which owns CBS, for its $16 million settlement with Trump in a lawsuit many considered meritless. That settlement comes as Paramount attempts a merger with Skydance Media, which requires FCC approval to proceed.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Daily Show, which is hosted on Monday nights by Jon Stewart, will compete in the category after also fending off competition from upstarts such as buzzy YouTube show Hot Ones and Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney.