Charlamagne struggles to process news about CBS cancelling Stephen Colbert’s show

Radio host Charlamagne tha God hysterically reacted on Friday to CBS’ Thursday announcement that it will terminate Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” after the upcoming TV season.

The announcement followed CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, settling a lawsuit with President Donald Trump over editing a “60 Minutes” interview of former Vice President Kamala Harris in October 2024. Charlamagne, on “The Breakfast Club,” argued that these developments were indicative of Trump’s authoritarianism taking hold.

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“Let’s call it what it is. Paramount is looking for FCC [Federal Communications Commission] approval for its Skydance merger. Trump can block that if he wants to. So canceling Colbert is an obvious move to appease Donald Trump,” Charlamagne said. “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.”

“Tightens control over public discourse. Sends a message to all media outlets that criticism of Trump could cost you access, approval, editorial control — or your job. This is what authoritarian regimes do. They weaponize legal systems to punish dissent and control messaging,” he added. “What happened with Paramount and Trump 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.”

Colbert is a frequent critic of the president. His show was the top late-night program on U.S. broadcast television, Reuters reported.

However, Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” averaged over 800,000 more viewers than Colbert’s show during the second quarter of 2025, according to TV Insider.

“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,” Charlamagne added. “Speak out and we will silence you. That is textbook authoritarian strategy. Okay? Because it deters further criticism through the fear of 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?”

“[W]hen that happens — well, 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,” he said. “That’s not business. That’s extortion dressed up in a suit and tie. That’s hush money for the truth. Stephen Colbert gets his show cancelled 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.”

Colbert described the settlement with Trump as a “big fat bribe” during his show on Monday, according to Reuters.

However, CBS executives asserted the choice to cancel the show was solely based on finances, according to Variety.

“This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” they said in a statement. “It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”