Jon Batiste Stands by Stephen Colbert After CBS Cancellation: “His Voice Will Not Be Silenced”
Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste has spoken out in strong support of Stephen Colbert, following the shock cancellation of Colbert’s long-running talk show by CBS. In a recent interview with _Rolling Stone Australia/New Zealand_, Batiste—who served as Colbert’s band leader on _The Late Show_ from 2015 to 2022—offered heartfelt words of encouragement, insisting that Colbert’s influence and commitment to free speech cannot be muted.
“I’m very grateful to him, and I think where he goes next, his voice won’t be silenced,” Batiste told the magazine. “The voice of free speech is challenged, but the soul of an individual cannot be cancelled. He’s gonna find another megaphone, another outlet, I’m sure of it. I’m rooting for him.”
CBS’s decision to cancel _The Late Show_, which had been a staple of American television for over a decade, was officially described by the network as a “purely financial decision.” However, controversy quickly followed. Colbert had recently criticized CBS for their settlement with Donald Trump regarding a contentious _60 Minutes_ interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. This public critique fueled speculation that the cancellation may have been driven by more than just financial concerns.
The move has sparked widespread debate and a groundswell of support for Colbert, with fellow late-night hosts such as Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, and David Letterman publicly backing him. Many see the incident as emblematic of a growing trend where financial and political pressures threaten the independence of high-profile media voices.
Batiste, who led his group Stay Human as _The Late Show’s_ house band, joined this chorus of support, warning:
“What happened to my friend Stephen is a symptom of big money. We’re in a time where the right price can silence the voice of free speech, which we should be very, very conscious of. As artists, we have to constantly fight for free speech and fight for the ability to be able to share the authentic truth of our being.”
The controversy has also raised concerns that Colbert may not be the last talk show host to face such challenges. In the aftermath of _The Late Show’s_ cancellation, former President Trump issued a warning to both Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, suggesting they could be next in the firing line for politically-motivated reasons.
As speculation continues around the true motivations behind CBS’s decision, one thing remains clear: Stephen Colbert’s impact on late-night television and his commitment to speaking truth to power have inspired a wave of solidarity among artists, comedians, and viewers alike. With voices like Jon Batiste’s leading the charge, the fight for free speech and authentic storytelling in entertainment is far from over.
