Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Sets May 2026 End Date Amidst Political Commentary

NEW YORK (Azat TV) – Stephen Colbert has confirmed that the final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on CBS will air on Thursday, May 21, 2026. This definitive end date, revealed months after CBS announced the show’s cancellation, comes as the veteran late-night host continues to deliver sharp political satire, most recently targeting the critically panned but surprisingly successful Melania Trump documentary and the Trump administration’s controversial defense of ICE actions. The impending conclusion of “The Late Show,” a prominent fixture in late-night television since 2015, signals a notable shift in the broadcast landscape.

Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Confirms May 2026 End

The announcement of the specific end date for “The Late Show” was made by Colbert himself, not on his own program, but during an appearance on NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” as first reported by LateNighter. “It feels real now,” Colbert told Meyers, expressing a lack of enthusiasm about the show’s conclusion. CBS had initially announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” in the summer of 2025, stating it was “purely a financial decision.” However, this explanation drew skepticism from many, including Colbert’s contemporaries, given that the decision coincided with parent company Paramount’s efforts to secure FCC approval for a major merger. Rival host Jimmy Kimmel, speaking on Ted Danson’s “Where Everybody Knows Your Name” podcast, openly questioned CBS’s reasoning, stating, “It doesn’t make any sense at all. So, when you hear things that are obviously lies, you have to assume that there are more lies behind it.” The merger was approved shortly after the cancellation announcement, further fueling doubts about the network’s stated motivations.

Melania Documentary Sparks Late-Night Satire

In the weeks leading up to the final date confirmation, Colbert, along with other late-night hosts, dedicated significant airtime to lampooning the new documentary “Melania.” Released in theaters on January 30, the film, directed by Brett Ratner in his first major project since 2017 sexual harassment allegations, follows Melania Trump’s journey back to the White House in early 2025. Despite critical reviews, with Variety calling it “a piece of state-sanctioned propaganda out of 1960s Communist China” and The Atlantic noting its lack of action, the documentary reportedly garnered an estimated $7 million during its opening weekend, performing well at the box office, according to USA Today.

On “The Late Show” on February 4, Stephen Colbert brought back actress Laura Benanti to reprise her popular impersonation of the former first lady. Benanti, complete with a signature accent and exaggerated modeling expression, joked about the film’s financial success. When Colbert pressed her on the documentary’s content, Benanti’s character quipped, “It’s about $28 million in my pocket, cha-chingaaaa! Just like me, it is a very creepy mystery.” She further referenced a scene from the film where Melania Trump names Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” as her favorite song, with Benanti’s character remarking, “Let’s just say it brings a smile to my face every time I look at Eric and think, ‘the kid is not my son,’” before moonwalking off camera.

Jimmy Kimmel also weighed in on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, alluding to potential box office rigging. He noted that while the $7 million opening was impressive for a documentary, it was a fraction of the reported $40 million Amazon MGM Studios paid for the film, plus $35 million in marketing. Kimmel questioned how the film sold so many tickets when many theaters appeared empty, drawing parallels to the Republican National Committee’s 2019 purchase of Donald Trump Jr.’s book, which then topped best-seller lists. Kimmel also connected the film’s financing to recent layoffs at The Washington Post, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, stating, “I guess he spent all the budget on Melania. Well done, Jeff.” Seth Meyers on “Late Night” also mocked the film, calling it “the least animated feature” and poking fun at President Trump’s reported dozing off during a private White House screening.

Colbert Addresses Trump’s ICE Defense

Beyond the Melania documentary, Stephen Colbert also recently focused his satirical lens on the Trump administration’s response to controversial actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a segment highlighting former President Donald Trump’s defense of ICE after two Minneapolis residents were fatally shot, Colbert played a clip where Trump described the situation as “bad. I hate it. I hate even talking about it.” The audience at “The Late Show” responded with loud boos in unison, prompting Colbert to chuckle and remark, “Well, at least you’re booing in unison.” He added pointedly, “It turns out, you kill people, you’re going to have a rough news cycle — even among the people who like you,” as reported by Yahoo News. Colbert further satirized Trump’s comment that ICE “could’ve used a little bit of a softer touch” in Minneapolis, quipping, “Ya think?! It’s like that quote from Godzilla, ‘My takeaway? I could have watched where I stepped.’”

Stephen Colbert’s final season on “The Late Show” underscores the enduring role of political satire in American media, as his continued sharp commentary on current events demonstrates its relevance and ability to resonate with audiences even as his long-running program prepares for its conclusion.