Photo — Stephen Colbert: Own work (Public domain) · Paramount Global: https://www.paramount.com/ (Public domain)
The Short Version
In July 2025, Stephen Colbert publicly criticized CBS parent company Paramount Global on air after the network agreed to a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over a '60 Minutes' interview edit, calling the payment a 'big fat bribe.' Days later, CBS announced that 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' would end in May 2026, citing late-night financial challenges. Tensions persisted into early 2026 over broadcast editorial control before the show aired its final episode in May 2026.
Latest Development
Colbert hosts final episode of 'The Late Show'
Stephen Colbert hosted the final episode of 'The Late Show' on CBS, featuring guest Paul McCartney and celebrity cameos, ending his 11-year tenure as host.
May 21, 2026 · Verified event
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
May 21, 2026
Colbert hosts final episode of 'The Late Show'
Verified eventStephen Colbert hosted the final episode of 'The Late Show' on CBS, featuring guest Paul McCartney and celebrity cameos, ending his 11-year tenure as host.
Source ↗February 17, 2026
Colbert clashes on air with CBS over broadcast restrictions
Verified eventAfter CBS lawyers declined to broadcast an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico citing FCC equal-time concerns, Colbert released the interview on YouTube. On air, Colbert publicly disputed the network's explanation and discarded a printout of CBS's statement inside a dog poop bag during his monologue.
Source ↗July 17, 2025
CBS announces the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'
Verified eventCBS announced that 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' would end its broadcast run in May 2026. Executive statements described the decision as purely financial due to late-night industry economics and stated it was unrelated to the show's content or performance.
Source ↗July 14, 2025
Colbert criticizes Paramount's $16 million settlement as a 'big fat bribe'
Public statementDuring his monologue on 'The Late Show,' Stephen Colbert criticized Paramount Global for agreeing to a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over a '60 Minutes' interview edit, calling the payment a 'big fat bribe' aimed at securing federal regulatory approval for Paramount's merger with Skydance.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Historical. The dispute concluded when 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' broadcast its final episode on CBS on May 21, 2026, ending Colbert's 11-year run as host.
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Sources
- 1.SourceColbert hosts final episode of 'The Late Show' · May 21, 2026
- 2.SourceColbert clashes on air with CBS over broadcast restrictions · Feb 17, 2026
- 3.SourceCBS announces the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' · Jul 17, 2025
- 4.SourceColbert criticizes Paramount's $16 million settlement as a 'big fat bribe' · Jul 14, 2025
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.