Jon Stewart Unleashes on CBS Over Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Cancellation in Unfiltered Rant: “I’m Not Backing Down — And I’m Not Going Anywhere”

In a rare, uncensored episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart unleashed a blistering critique of CBS for its abrupt decision to cancel “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.” Stewart, known for his incisive commentary and long-standing friendship with Colbert, did not hold back as he took aim at the network’s leadership, its financial motivations, and the broader implications for late-night television.

Stewart Recounts His History with Colbert

Stewart opened the episode by reflecting on his deep professional and personal ties with Colbert, recalling their six years together on “The Daily Show” before Colbert launched “The Colbert Report” in 2005 and later took over “The Late Show” in 2015. Their shared history set the stage for Stewart’s passionate defense of his friend and the legacy of the show.

Direct Attack on CBS’s Decision

Stewart wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room:

“The fact that CBS didn’t try to save their number one-rated network late-night franchise that’s been on the air for over three decades is part of what’s making everybody wonder, was this purely financial?” Stewart said. “Or maybe the path of least resistance for your $8 billion merger was killing a show that you know rankled a fragile and vengeful president, so insecure, suffering terribly from a case of chronic penis insufficiency.”

Stewart’s remarks were a pointed reference to speculation that CBS’s decision was influenced not only by financial pressures—such as the looming $8 billion merger—but also by political considerations, namely the show’s frequent criticism of former President Donald Trump.

Corporate Fear and the Value of Late Night

Stewart addressed the network’s executives and advertisers directly:

“Look, I understand the corporate fear. I understand the fear that you and your advertisers have with $8 billion at stake. But understand this, truly, the shows that you now seek to cancel, censor and control, a not insignificant portion of that $8 billion value came from those fucking shows.”

He emphasized that the very programs CBS now seeks to cut were a major driver of the network’s value and cultural relevance.

Warning for CBS — and the Broader Media

Stewart predicted that CBS’s troubles with political pressure are far from over, referencing Donald Trump’s recent lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, over a story involving an alleged birthday card from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein.

“Donald Trump is suing Rupert Murdoch, the owner of Fox News. The man other than Biden, maybe most responsible for getting Trump elected,” Stewart joked. “Fox spends 24 hours a day blowing Trump, and it’s not enough. Imagine suing someone mid-blow.”

Stewart’s Own Future: Defiant and Uncertain

Stewart also poked fun at his own uncertain future in television, quipping:

“This is not the moment to give in. I’m not giving in. I’m not going anywhere… I think.”

A Gospel Sendoff — and a Profane Message

The episode ended on a note of both humor and defiance. With the help of a gospel choir, Stewart serenaded media companies who believe that “bending the knee to Trump” will protect their bottom line:

“But if you’re afraid and you protect your bottom line, I got but one thing to say! Go fuck yourself!”

CBS’s Official Statement and Colbert’s Farewell

CBS confirmed on Thursday that it plans to end “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” after the upcoming TV season, citing the cancellation as a “financial decision.” The network acknowledged the challenges facing late-night programming, including declining viewership and the difficulty of attracting younger audiences, which have made the show’s high production costs increasingly hard to justify.

“We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire ‘The Late Show’ franchise,” CBS executives said in a statement. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television. This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

Colbert was reportedly informed of the decision on Wednesday evening. During the Thursday night taping, he addressed his audience:

“It is a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it.”
When the audience booed, Colbert added, “Yeah, I share your feelings. It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of ‘The Late Show’ on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”

The End of an Era

The cancellation marks the end of a historic run for “The Late Show,” which began with David Letterman in 1993 and continued with Colbert’s acclaimed tenure. As Stewart’s fiery monologue made clear, the decision has sent shockwaves through the late-night community and left fans and industry insiders alike questioning the future of network television.

Watch the full segment below.