Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” Finale Approaches Amidst Ratings Success and Trump Criticism

As Stephen Colbert prepares to sign off from The Late Show in May, the comedian continues to craft headlines, both for his show’s ratings and his pointed critiques of former President Donald Trump. Recent commentary on Trump’s State of the Union address viewership highlighted a contrast between the former president’s declining ratings and The Late Show’s recent gains.

Colbert Celebrates SOTU Ratings Dip

During his February 26th monologue, Colbert mocked Trump over the 11 percent decrease in viewership for his State of the Union address, which averaged 32.6 million viewers. This figure is down from the 36.6 million who tuned in for last year’s address [TV Insider]. Colbert quipped, “If I were CBS, I’d cancel him,” a line that resonated with the audience, particularly given CBS’s prior announcement to cancel The Late Show.

“The Late Show” Ratings Rise as Finale Nears

Despite the show’s impending cancellation, announced last July due to financial reasons, The Late Show has seen a 7 percent increase in ratings compared to the previous year. Colbert playfully suggested that viewers may prefer watching his reaction to Trump rather than watching Trump himself [TV Insider].

CBS and the Trump Administration: A Contentious Relationship

Colbert’s relationship with CBS has been strained at times, particularly regarding coverage of the Trump administration. In February 2026, CBS News blocked the airing of an interview with Texas State Representative James Talarico, a Democrat, citing concerns over the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) equal time rule [The Independent] and [CNN].

Colbert accused the Trump administration of attempting to silence dissent, arguing that the FCC’s fresh guidance on the equal time rule was a politically motivated effort to restrict critical voices on television [The Independent]. He publicly challenged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, accusing him of partisan motivations [The Independent].

CBS maintained that “The Late Show” received legal guidance but was not explicitly prohibited from airing the interview, and subsequently released the interview on YouTube as an “online-only exclusive” [CNN].

Looking Ahead

With The Late Show’s final episode scheduled for May, Colbert’s legacy as a sharp political satirist and a ratings draw is secure. The ongoing tension between the show, CBS, and the Trump administration underscores the challenges facing late-night television in a politically charged media landscape.