On Truth Social, Trump Applauds CBS for Axing Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show, Criticizing His ‘Talent’ and ‘Ratings,’ While Calling for the Immediate Firing of Late-Night Host Jimmy Kimmel and The View Co-Host Whoopi Goldberg, Calling her Ugly Face

Trump Celebrates Colbert’s Show Cancellation, Calls for Kimmel and Goldberg to Be Fired in Truth Social Post

July 18, 2025 – President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday morning to express his delight over CBS’s decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, set to conclude in May 2026 after a decade-long run. In a characteristically brash post, Trump not only celebrated the cancellation but also targeted late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg, urging their respective networks to fire them next. The post has sparked widespread discussion, with critics and supporters alike weighing in on the implications of Trump’s remarks amid concerns over media freedom and political influence.

Trump’s Truth Social Post and Its Context

In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings, ugly faced Whoopi and jimmy should be next.” The inflammatory statement came just hours after CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show, a move the network described as a “purely financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night” and not related to the show’s performance or content. However, the timing of the decision—days after Colbert criticized CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, for settling a $16 million lawsuit with Trump—has fueled speculation about political motivations.

Colbert, a vocal critic of Trump since taking over The Late Show from David Letterman in 2015, had recently called the Paramount-Trump settlement a “big fat bribe” on air, referring to a lawsuit over alleged deceptive editing in a 60 Minutes interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris. The settlement was widely seen as an effort by Paramount to secure federal approval for its merger with Skydance Media, raising questions about whether CBS’s decision to end The Late Show was influenced by external pressures.

Trump’s post didn’t stop at Colbert. He took aim at ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel, stating, “I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!” He also targeted Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC’s The View, with a personal jab at her appearance. Additionally, Trump praised Fox News’s Greg Gutfeld, host of Gutfeld!, claiming he was “better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show,” referring to Jimmy Fallon.

Reactions from Kimmel, Hollywood, and Political Figures

The cancellation of The Late Show and Trump’s subsequent comments elicited strong reactions from the entertainment and political spheres. Jimmy Kimmel, a longtime friend and colleague of Colbert, responded on Instagram with a heartfelt message of support, writing, “Love you Stephen. F— you and all your Sheldons CBS,” referencing CBS’s Young Sheldon series. Kimmel’s blunt response underscored the sentiment among many in Hollywood that the cancellation may have been politically motivated, especially given Colbert’s history of sharp criticism of Trump.

Prominent figures echoed Kimmel’s outrage. Senator Elizabeth Warren posted on social media, stating, “CBS canceled Colbert’s show just three days after Colbert called out CBS owner Paramount for its $16 settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery.” Actor Ben Stiller expressed his disappointment, tweeting, “Sorry to hear @CBS is canceling one of the best shows they have. Wishing all the people who work so hard on that show all the best.” Other celebrities, including Jon Batiste, Judd Apatow, Rachel Zegler, and Adam Scott, voiced support for Colbert, with Scott calling the decision “absolute bullshit.”

Media analysts and press freedom advocates also raised alarms. Former New York Times media reporter Bill Carter wrote, “The financial side of that business has definitely been under pressure, as CBS release asserts, but if CBS believes it can escape without some serious questions about capitulating to Trump, they are seriously deluded.” TV executive producer Mike Schur was more direct, stating on Bluesky, “When media companies cancel late night shows to appease fascist presidents, America f—ing ends.”

The Broader Context: Late-Night TV and Political Influence

The cancellation of The Late Show marks a significant moment for late-night television, as it is the first major 11:30 p.m. broadcast show to end, leaving the future of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon uncertain. The late-night format has faced declining viewership in recent years due to the rise of digital media, but the timing of CBS’s decision has intensified speculation about political pressures.

Trump’s history of feuding with late-night hosts is well-documented. He has repeatedly targeted Colbert, Kimmel, and Fallon, often criticizing their ratings and accusing them of bias. In September 2024, Trump called Colbert “very boring” and suggested CBS replace him with someone “right off the street” who could do a better job for less money. He also reignited a feud with Kimmel over the 2024 Oscars, where Kimmel mocked Trump on air, and has previously clashed with Goldberg, including a 2024 Truth Social post falsely claiming she planned to move to Canada.

Critics argue that Trump’s latest comments reflect a broader pattern of attacking media figures who challenge him, raising concerns