In a recent claim that has sparked discussions, longtime reporter Bill Carter suggested that former President Donald Trump was ‘personally involved’ in the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show. This assertion follows the airing of the show’s final episode on May 21, which marked the end of an era for CBS’s ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.’

Allegations of Political Influence

Carter, known for his book ‘The Late Shift,’ which chronicled the rivalry between David Letterman and Jay Leno, made these remarks during an appearance on MS Now’s ‘The Weekend.’ He pointed to a video posted on Trump’s official X account as evidence of Trump’s involvement. The AI-generated video depicted Trump throwing Colbert into a dumpster, followed by a dance to the tune of ‘Y.M.C.A.’

According to Carter, this video and Trump’s ongoing feud with Colbert suggest that the former president had a hand in the show’s cancellation. ‘The government was pushing to get rid of this man because he was a critic,’ Carter stated, emphasizing that such actions are contrary to American values of free speech and criticism.

Network Decisions and Financial Considerations

CBS announced the cancellation of ‘The Late Show’ last summer, attributing the decision to financial issues. Reports indicated that the show was losing the network approximately $40 million annually. However, Carter and other commentators have questioned whether financial concerns were the sole reason, suggesting that political pressure may have influenced the network’s decision.

Carter further accused CBS of capitulating to the Trump administration, referencing a lawsuit involving ’60 Minutes’ as indicative of the network’s shift away from independent journalism. He argued that CBS’s actions signaled a retreat from its traditional role, potentially to avoid hiring another host who might criticize the president.

Throughout its run, Colbert’s show frequently targeted Trump, with a study from the Media Research Center noting that Colbert made over 3,600 jokes about Trump from January 2023 until the show’s conclusion. This consistent focus on Trump may have contributed to the tensions between the show and the former president.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment on these claims, but no response was reported at the time of publication.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.