DONKEY: CBS Is Cancelling 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Because Of Trump

Summary

The Breakfast Club Podcast Summary
Episode Title: DONKEY: CBS Is Cancelling 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' Because Of Trump
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Host: Charlamagne Tha God, Angela Yee, and DJ Envy
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts

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1. Introduction to the Episode

In this episode of The Breakfast Club, the hosts delve into a significant development in the entertainment industry: the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" by CBS amidst political tensions involving former President Donald Trump. The discussion highlights the intersection of media, politics, and corporate influence, providing listeners with a critical analysis of the events leading to this decision.

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2. Donkey of the Day: CBS Cancels 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert'

A. Overview of the Cancellation

Charlamagne Tha God introduces the main topic by announcing the "Donkey of the Day" as Paramount and CBS, criticizing their decision to cancel Stephen Colbert's late-night show. He expresses personal disappointment, noting his long-standing relationship with Paramount, dating back to when they were known as Viacom.

Charlamagne Tha God:

"Donkey of the Day for Friday, July 18th goes to Paramount and CBS as a staff TV network and mother effing crew."
[01:38]

B. Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart Address the Cancellation

The hosts play excerpts from Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, where they discuss the abrupt end of "The Late Show." Colbert attributes the cancellation to CBS's financial decisions, distancing it from the show's performance or content quality.

Stephen Colbert:

"CBS said the decision was purely financial, quote, 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."
[03:00]

Jon Stewart:

"My parent corporation Paramount paid Donald Trump a $16 million settlement over his 60 Minutes lawsuit. As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended and I don't know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company."
[03:10]

C. Charlamagne's In-Depth Commentary

Charlamagne provides a passionate analysis of the situation, linking the show's cancellation to broader political maneuvers aimed at appeasing Donald Trump. He argues that the $16 million settlement with Trump over a lawsuit regarding an edited interview with Kamala Harris is a strategic move by Paramount to secure a pending merger with Skydance.

Charlamagne Tha God:

"It's so obvious that Paramount is doing this to appease Donald Trump. ... Paramount is looking for FCC approval for its Sky Dance merger. Trump can block that if he wants to. So canceling Colbert is an obvious move to appease Donald Trump."
[05:51]

He further contends that such actions exemplify authoritarian tactics where corporations and administrations suppress dissent to maintain control over public discourse.

Charlamagne Tha God:

"This is textbook authoritarian rule. Target your critic, centralize power in a few hands, intimidate through punishment or removal... We are fully under authoritarian rule, okay?"
[07:45]

Charlamagne emphasizes the implications for free speech and media integrity, suggesting that Paramount's actions undermine trust in major news outlets and pave the way for increased censorship and control.

Charlamagne Tha God:

"This is not just a media story. It's a free speech funeral in slow motion. ... That's hush money for the truth. Stephen Colbert gets his show canceled after calling out the deal. That's not coincidence. That's consequence."
[09:15]

D. Implications and Future Outlook

The discussion concludes with concerns about the future of media freedom and the potential suppression of other outspoken critics within the industry. Charlamagne warns listeners about the erosion of trust in traditional media and the rise of alternative platforms that, while seemingly more honest, may be susceptible to misinformation.

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3. News Segment: CEO Caught Cheating at Coldplay Concert

In addition to the main discussion, the hosts briefly touch upon a viral incident involving a CEO caught cheating at a Coldplay concert, highlighting societal views on infidelity and the public's fascination with celebrity mishaps.

Angela Yee:

"800-585-1051. We're asking, where's the craziest place you got caught cheating? ... This gentleman got caught at the Coldplay concert on the Kiss Cam. It went viral."
[11:38]

Charlamagne Tha God:

"Black men don't cheat. I am. I can't even participate in this topic."
[12:07]

The segment serves as a lighter counterpoint to the heavy political discourse, engaging listeners with relatable and entertaining content.

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4. Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club provides a critical examination of the cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," framing it within the larger context of political influence and corporate strategy. Through incisive commentary and the inclusion of direct quotes from Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, the hosts offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of the potential ramifications for media freedom and political discourse in the United States.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Charlamagne Tha God:

  "Donkey of the Day for Friday, July 18th goes to Paramount and CBS as a staff TV network and mother effing crew."
  [01:38]

• Stephen Colbert:

  "CBS said the decision was purely financial, quote, against a challenging backdrop in late night."
  [03:00]

• Jon Stewart:

  "Paramount paid Donald Trump a $16 million settlement over his 60 Minutes lawsuit."
  [03:10]

• Charlamagne Tha God:

  "This is textbook authoritarian rule. Target your critic, centralize power in a few hands..."
  [07:45]

• Charlamagne Tha God:

  "It's a free speech funeral in slow motion. ... That's consequence."
  [09:15]

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This detailed summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting the key discussions and insights while providing context and direct quotes to enrich the narrative for those who haven't listened to the podcast.

Transcript

[Charlamagne Tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast. Balancing work, family and education isn't easy, but American Public University makes it possible with online courses, monthly start dates, and flexible schedules. APU was designed for busy professionals who need education that fits their lives. And Affordability matters too. APU offers the opportunity grant, giving students 10% off undergraduate and master's level tuition, helping you reach your goals without breaking the bank. Plus, they provide career services and 24. 7 mental health support at no extra cost. Visit Apu Apus Edu to learn more. That's Apu Apus Edu.

[Angela Yee]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

With a Donkey Ready? It's time for Donkey of the Day. A bunch of donkeys around here with a hee hop. With a hee hop. Yes, you are a donkey. What the hell? What the hell? Some donkey today's just saw themselves. Charlamagne.

[Angela Yee]

Give it to him. Breakfast Club all day. Give it to him.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh man. Charlamagne. Who you giving donkey to do tonight? You know, Fridays are usually the people's donkey, but I need to talk to y' all about something this morning. Donkey of the day for Friday, July 18th goes to Paramount and CBS as a staff TV network and mother effing crew. Now let the record show I have made. I've had a lot of success, okay, with Paramount over the years. I've been rocking with them since 2013, 2014 when they was Viacom. Okay? From Guy code to all my late night talk shows, Charlamagne and Friends, Uncommon Sense, Helluva week. God's honest truth, whatever it was called, they have all been with Viacom and Paramount, okay? I make a lot of appearances on the Daily Show. In fact, I'll be on next week. All right, that's Paramount. So yes, they have provided me a lot of opportunity and still do. But Donkey of the Day does not discriminate. Not to mention right is right and wrong is wrong. And what I witnessed yesterday is absolutely wrong. Now, if you haven't heard, my guy, South Carolina brethren Stephen Colbert informed his audience that CBS has canceled the Late Show. Okay, they canceled the Late show. And this comes three days after him criticizing the network over their settlement, their $16 million settlement with Donald Trump. But yes, starting In May of 2026, the Late show will be cancelled. Let's go to NBC News for the report, please.

[Stephen Colbert]

Some breaking news here in the entertainment world. The Late show with Stephen Colbert ending next year. With CBS retiring the late night franchise, Colbert taking to social media to announce it. Here it is.

[Jon Stewart]

I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending the Late show in May.

[Stephen Colbert]

CBS said the decision was purely financial, quote, 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. It's worth noting Colbert has been critical of CBS's parent company Paramount's decision to settle a lawsuit with President Trump. The show topped the ratings for the 11:30 slot. Stephen Colbert has hosted the Late show for nine years now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Purely a financial decision, huh? Dear Paramount, lying about why you got rid of Colbert sounds like people in the Trump administration lying about why they wouldn't release the Epstein files. Okay. Just complete foolishness and nonsense. Now, the announcement of the Late Show's cancellation, as I said, follows Colbert criticism of a settlement between President Donald Trump and Paramount Global, which is CBS's parent company. Okay, Paramount paid Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit over edits to an October 2024 interview that CBS's 60 Minutes did with Kamala Harris. Okay. Colbert, just like Jon Stewart, has rightfully criticized this move. He called the settlement a big fat bribe. Let's listen to him addressing on the Colbert show from a few days ago.

[Jon Stewart]

My parent corporation Paramount paid Donald Trump a $16 million settlement over his 60 Minutes lawsuit. As someone who has always been a proud employee of this network, I am offended and I don't know if anything will ever repair my trust in this company. But just taking a stab at it, I'd say $16 million would help this settlement. This settlement is for a nuisance lawsuit Trump filed claiming that 60 Minutes deceptively edited their interview with then candidate Kamala Harris last fall. Paramount knows they could have EAs because in their own words, the lawsuit was completely without merit. Unlike the payoffs from ABC and Twitter, Paramount settlement did not include an apology.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Instead. That's good.

[Jon Stewart]

Instead, the corporation released a statement where they said, you may take Our money, but you will never take our dignity. You may, however, purchase our dignity for the low, low price of $16 million. We need the cash now. I believe this kind of complicated financial settlement with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal cir. It's Big fat bribe. Because this all comes as Paramount's owners are trying to get the Trump administration to approve the sale of our network to a new owner. Skydance. And some of the TV typers out there are blogging that once Skydance gets cbs, the new owner's desire to please Trump could put pressure on late night host and frequent Trump critic Stephen Colbert. Okay, okay, but how are they going to put pressure on Stephen Colbert if they can't find him?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's so obvious that Paramount is doing this to appease Donald Trump. Let's not do this stupid thing we do in the media where we ask answers, okay? Don't say things like, was this politically driven by Donald Trump? Come on. Of course it was. Paramount needs to appease Trump so this merger with Skydance and Paramount can happen. Paramount paid Trump $16 million for essentially no reason. Okay. The FCC launched an investigation into CBS after Trump's claims. Claims of bias editing, even though CBS released full transcripts to prove accuracy. And most folks who know a thing or two about legal issues said that the lawsuit bought by Donald Trump against Paramount should have been dismissed on First Amendment grounds. But let's call it what it is. Paramount is looking for FCC approval for its Sky Dance merger. Trump can block that if he wants to. So canceling Colbert is an obvious move to appease Donald Trump. And I need to tell y' all something. If you don't think we are under a regime with an authoritarian strategy, then you are bugging. This is textbook authoritarian rule. Target your critic, centralize power in a few hands, intimidate through punishment or removal. And you know what that usually does? Shuts people the F up. Okay? Tightens control over public discourse. Sends a message to all media outlets that criticism of Trump could cost you access, approval, editorial control, all your job. This is what authoritarian regimes do. They weaponize legal systems to punish dissent and control messaging. What happened with Paramount and Trump is. Is intimidation tactics disguised as legitimate legal action. I thought this was the administration that didn't believe in censorship. I thought this was the administration that believed in free speech. They do. Until you criticize them, Paramount and CBS should be ashamed of themselves. And you can't trust anything you see on Paramount. CBS moving forward. Did y' all even think about how this will impact any of your news programming. We, the people, already don't trust most news outlets in America, which is why the podcast and online business is booming. Because people with no corporate connections, no corporate interests are able to speak freely, even though they may be really misinformed. But that's what people are going. And that's who people are trusting. Because even though it might be misinformation, it feels more honest, okay? We can't trust any news or opinion programming that comes from Paramount now. They are obviously compromised. Well, let me take that back. One program. You can still trust the Daily show, but after seeing what happened with Colbert, how do we know the same thing won't happen to the great John Stewart and the gang at the Daily Show? Do you think Jon Stewart, who should run for President in 2028, do you think he's going to stop criticizing Paramount for settling with Trump? Huh? Do you think he's going to have nothing to say about his friend Stephen Colbert being let go? What are you going to do, Paramount? Are you going to bend the knee to authoritarian strategy again and suppress another outspoken critic of Trump? I know. I know Paramount has an $8 billion merger with Sky Dance looming, and y' all don't want Trumpet to stop it. But it. But. But it. But is it worth. Okay, is it worth losing all credibility and all trust with your audience in the process? The answer to that should be no. I just want y' all to know when the highest rated show in late night is ended despite strong ratings, especially right after political criticism, it becomes a warning, okay? It becomes a warning. Speak out and we will silence you. That is textbook authoritarian strategy, okay? Because it deters further criticism through the fear of retaliation. Retaliation. Okay? Make America North Korea. Make America China. Make America Russia. That's where we are. If we live in a country where there is strategic silence within corporate or media power structures to limit dissent, okay? When that happens, it's already happened. We are fully under authoritarian rule, okay? This is not just a media story. It's a free speech funeral in slow motion. Paramount cut a $16 million check to Donald Trump so they can get their merger approved and keep the FCC off their backs. That's not business. That's excus. Extortion. Dressed up in a suit and tie. That's hush money for the truth. Stephen Colbert gets his show canceled after calling out the deal. That's not coincidence. That's consequence. That's what happens when you speak truth to power in a country where the power don't want to hear the truth. Please let Remy Ma Give CBS Paramount the biggest. Hee haw. Hee haw. Hee haw. You stupid mother. Are you dumb? No. All right, I'm supposed to be a on the Daily show next week. If that changes, I'll let y' all know. Like, maybe not. Maybe, maybe not. You know, it happens.

[Angela Yee]

All right, well, thank you for that donkey today, sir. Now, something that's been all over the news and all over social media. Yesterday was about this CEO. He was at a Coldplay concert, and they're saying he got caught cheating on his wife. Let's go to the news report.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Let's hear it. Oh, look at these two. All right. You're okay. Oh. What? Either they're having an affair or they're just very shy.

[Angela Yee]

It's the latter.

[News Reporter]

It seems to be the latter. Yeah. This is a Kiss Cam catastrophe. This couple was caught on the big screen at the Coldplay concert in Boston last night. And you heard the lead singer there, Chris Martin, calling the couple out after it seemed like they did not want to be seen. Well, the two people appear to be the seat CEO of a software development firm and his head of hr. Both of them married to other people with families.

[Angela Yee]

Damn, damn, damn, damn. Yeah, so we're asking. So he got caught at a Coldplay concert. It was a Kiss Cam. The cam showed the couple, and he dipped. He. He got low, low, low, low, low. And she ran off. So the question is, it's Friday, so you know what that means.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Freaky, Freaky, Freaky Friday.

[Angela Yee]

You're not gonna do with me. Okay?

[Jon Stewart]

It's freaky.

[Angela Yee]

Freaking, freaking freaky.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's freaky about this?

[Angela Yee]

Well, we're asking. 800-585-1051. We're asking, where's the craziest place you got caught cheating? This gentleman got caught at the Coldplay concert on the Kiss Cam. It went viral. His whole family had to see it. Jesus Christ. But we're asking, what is the craziest place you guys got caught cheating? That is the question.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Excuse me.

[Angela Yee]

I'm not talking about me and you talking about black men don't cheat.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Black men don't cheat. I am. I can't even participate in this topic. Black women don't either. I don't know. I don't remember. I don't remember.

[Angela Yee]

800-585-1051. We'll take your calls when we come back. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The Breakfast Club donkey of the day is sponsored by renowned personal injury attorney Michael the Bull Lametsoft. Don't be a donkey. When you need a fighter on your if you're ever injured, go to Michael the Bull.com that's Michael the Bull.com and when you mess with the bull, you get the horns. Balancing work, family and education isn't easy, but American Public University makes it possible with online courses, monthly start dates, and flexible schedules. APU was designed for busy professionals who need education that fits their lives. And Affordability matters, too. APU offers the Opportunity Grant, giving students 10% off undergraduate and master's level tuition, helping you reach your goals without breaking the bank. Plus, they provide career services and 247 mental health support at no extra cost. Visit Apu Apus Edu to learn more. That's Apu Apus Edu.

[Angela Yee]

The best kind of help is the kind you don't even have to ask for, like your friend pulling up on you on moving day with a truck, a speaker, and snacks ready to go. Well, that's the energy you get with AT&T's new guarantee. If there's ever a network interruption, they make it right by giving you a credit for a full day of service proactively Credit for fiber downtime lasting 20 minutes or more, or wireless downtime lasting 60 minutes or more caused by a single incident impacting 10 or more towers. Restrictions and exclusions apply. See att.com guaranty for full details. At and T Connecting changes everything.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

This is an iHeart podcast.