What's happened
President Trump launched a series of social media attacks on late-night host Stephen Colbert, criticizing his talent and ratings, and suggested network license terminations due to negative coverage. The remarks follow Colbert's show ending in May 2026 and reflect ongoing tensions over political commentary in entertainment.
What's behind the headline?
The timing of Trump's attacks reveals a strategic effort to influence media narratives and suppress criticism. His threats to revoke broadcast licenses over negative coverage are unprecedented and suggest an attempt to intimidate broadcasters. The targeting of Colbert, whose show is ending, indicates a desire to diminish the influence of satirical and political commentary that challenges him. This pattern underscores a broader trend of politicizing media regulation, which could have lasting implications for free speech and media independence. The attacks also serve to rally his base by framing mainstream media as hostile, reinforcing his narrative of victimization and censorship. Moving forward, these threats could lead to increased self-censorship among broadcasters wary of losing licenses, impacting the diversity of political discourse on television.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Trump called Colbert a 'pathetic trainwreck' and suggested CBS should 'put him to sleep,' criticizing ratings and talent. The NY Post highlights Trump's claims that networks with negative coverage should have their licenses revoked, citing his recent social media posts. Both sources emphasize Trump's ongoing feud with late-night hosts and his use of social media to threaten media outlets. The New York Times provides context on Trump's live address, which interrupted major TV events, and notes the broader pattern of his confrontations with media figures. While The Independent and NY Post focus on Trump's personal attacks and threats, the NY Times offers insight into the timing and potential implications of his actions, illustrating a coordinated effort to influence media coverage and control the narrative.
How we got here
The story stems from President Trump's ongoing criticism of late-night hosts who mock or criticize him, especially Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers. Colbert's show is set to end in May 2026, with Trump previously expressing approval of its cancellation. The recent attacks coincide with the release of Jeffrey Epstein files and Trump's live address, which interrupted major TV events, fueling speculation about his focus on media narratives.
Go deeper
More on these topics
-
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
-
Stephen Tyrone Colbert is an American comedian, television host, and writer. He is best known for hosting the satirical Comedy Central program The Colbert Report from 2005 to 2014 and the CBS talk program The Late Show with Stephen Colbert beginning in Se
-
James Christian Kimmel is an American television host, comedian, writer, actor, and producer. He is the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show that premiered on ABC on January 26, 2003, at Hollywood Masonic Temple in Hol
-
CBS is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network that is the flagship property of the CBS Entertainment Group division of ViacomCBS.