Olbermann rejects claims Colbert was canceled by CBS for political causes

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Ex-MSNBC host Keith Olbermann has weighed in on whether or not Stephen Colbert was canceled by CBS for political causes, throwing chilly water on the speculation he was axed for his criticism of Trump.

"Sorry. That is not what occurred right here. If it had, they would not be retaining him on till subsequent MAY," Olbermann mentioned in a post on X .

CBS introduced they’d canceled "The Late Present with Stephen Colbert" Thursday, stating that the over 30-year-long franchise would come to an finish in Might 2026 with no subsequent host taking on following Colbert’s departure. The present was beforehand hosted by David Letterman from 1992-2015.

Keith Olbermann poured chilly water on claims that Colbert was canceled for political causes. (Paul Drinkwater/NBC NewsWire)

DEMOCRATS FAWN OVER STEPHEN COLBERT FOR HOLDING 'TRUTH TO POWER' AFTER CBS CANCELS SHOW

Olbermann authored the put up in response to an X person who posted that Colbert’s firing was an indication that america had descended into fascism.

"We're formally on the ‘pulling comedians off the air who criticize our pricey chief’ section of fascism," the person posted over an image of the late night host .

Following the community’s announcement of Colbert’s ouster, quite a few left-wing politicians and journalists spoke out, alleging that the speak present host was fired for political causes, speculating that axing Colbert – a fierce critic of President Trump – was an try and placate White Home officers amid a pending merger between CBS’ father or mother firm Paramount and Skydance.

"CBS’s billionaire homeowners pay Trump $16 million to settle a bogus lawsuit whereas making an attempt to promote the community to Skydance. Stephen Colbert, a rare expertise and the preferred late evening host, slams the deal. Days later, he is fired. Do I feel it is a coincidence? NO," Vermont Unbiased Sen. Bernie Sanders posted on X .

CBS introduced "The Late Present with Stephen Colbert" would stop manufacturing in Might 2026. (Scott Kowalchyk/CBS by way of Getty Photographs)

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"If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Present for political causes, the general public deserves to know. And deserves higher," Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., wrote on X.

CBS settled with President Trump after he sued the community alleging election interference over a "60 Minutes" interview along with his 2024 opponent former Vice President Kamala Harris which he alleged was deceptively edited. A clip from the interview, by which Harris was requested concerning the battle in Gaza, was launched on "Face the Nation" previous to the "60 Minutes" broadcast and featured the previous VP delivering a solution that was extensively derided as "phrase salad." When the interview was lastly broadcast, a special, extra concise response was swapped instead.

CBS, nonetheless, claimed that "The Late Present’s" cancellation was attributable to monetary causes, saying the present misplaced some $40 million a year . Colbert is No. 1 within the late evening timeslot amongst community speak present hosts (although he often comes behind Fox’s Gutfeld), averaging round 2.4 million viewers per episode. Total viewership for late evening speak exhibits has steadily declined in recent times, resulting in a lower in whole advert revenues.

Colbert was tapped to host the "Late Present" following Letterman’s retirement after he hosted the extensively acclaimed "Colbert Report" on Comedy Central. Upon taking the reins of the franchise, Colbert eschewed the well-known formulation of internet hosting a present that appeals to the broadest swath of Individuals, opting as a substitute for a extremely partisan, Trump-critical program .

CBS mentioned the present was shedding $40 million a yr. (Spencer Platt/Getty Photographs)

Fox Information Digital has reached out to CBS for remark.

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When former President Joe Biden gained the 2020 election, Colbert popped champagne on air and danced, proclaiming his pleasure within the election outcome.

"Girls and gents, Joe Biden did it! He is our subsequent president! I am so comfortable!" he proclaimed, including that he cried tears of pleasure upon studying Trump would not be president.