Bill Carter Discusses Trump’s Alleged Involvement in Colbert’s Show Cancellation

Longtime reporter Bill Carter has expressed concerns about former President Donald Trump’s role in the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s show, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Carter made these remarks during “The Weekend” on MS Now, suggesting Trump’s personal involvement based on an AI-generated video shared by Trump. The video depicted Trump grabbing Colbert and throwing him into a dumpster, while dancing to the Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.”

The cancellation of Colbert’s show, which aired its final episode on May 21, has drawn comments from various observers, including Carter. He is known for his insights into television dynamics, as shown in his book “The Late Shift,” which detailed the rivalry between former “Late Show” host David Letterman and “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno.

Many commentators, including Carter, speculate that Trump’s ongoing feud with Colbert contributed to the show’s end. Carter criticized the government’s alleged attempts to silence a critic, deeming it against American values. He cautioned that this situation needs attention as it reflects poorly on how dissent is handled.

Carter also accused CBS of bowing to the Trump administration. He argues that CBS’s decision to cancel Colbert’s show wasn’t financially driven, despite claims that the show lost the network $40 million annually. Carter believes CBS’s capitulation in a lawsuit filed by Trump against “60 Minutes” indicates reluctance to maintain independent journalism.

“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” frequently targeted Trump in its last years. Data from the Media Research Center highlighted Colbert’s focus on Trump, with 3,639 jokes made about him between January 3, 2023, and the show’s conclusion.

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for their response. Bill Carter’s comments underline his view of Trump’s influence in Colbert’s show’s cancellation. CBS had announced the show’s cancellation due to financial issues, a claim disputed by Colbert.