David Letterman has launched a fierce rebuke of CBS following the network’s decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, calling the move “pure cowardice” and accusing the network of caving to corporate and political pressure.
The show, which is set to end in May 2026, has long been a platform for sharp political commentary, often targeting former President Donald Trump. Letterman, who originally hosted The Late Show before Colbert took over, suggested the cancellation was less about ratings or cost and more about silencing critical voices ahead of CBS’s merger with Skydance.
He criticized CBS leadership and new owner David Ellison, describing them as “bottom feeders” and claiming the network was choosing political compliance over creative integrity. Letterman also mocked the network by posting a video montage of his old CBS rants, sarcastically captioned: “You can’t spell CBS without BS.”
The decision sparked backlash within the entertainment industry, with former Late Show producer Rob Burnett and others questioning the timing—just months after the network’s $16 million legal settlement involving Trump and as it prepares for a multibillion-dollar merger.
While CBS has cited internal restructuring and financial strategy, critics argue that the cancellation reflects a broader shift in late-night television, where satire and bold commentary may now come at a cost.