The announcement of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert being canceled sparked immediate dismay from fans and fellow comedians alike. David Letterman called Paramount and CBS’s decision “gutless” and “pure cowardice,” lamenting that incoming Paramount CEO David Ellison “doesn’t want any trouble along the lines of freedom of the press or free speech or freedom of expression.” John Oliver, while handing out Moon Pies at a minor-league baseball game, said the news was “very, very, very sad,” adding that he loves Colbert, his staff, and the show itself. Actor Ben Stiller also chimed in on X, calling it “one of the best shows they have.” The overwhelming reaction was one of disbelief and grief over the loss of a cultural mainstay in late-night television.

But as the dust settles, a more troubling narrative has emerged. The show’s cancellation came just three days after Colbert openly criticized Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump — a deal Senator Elizabeth Warren called “a bribe.” Warren questioned whether Colbert’s firing was politically motivated, writing that “America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons.” Colbert, known for his sharp critiques of former President Trump and for holding power to account, may have paid the price for speaking out. If true, this would mark not just the end of a late-night era, but a chilling precedent for political retribution in entertainment.