In this monologue, Stephen Colbert addresses the recent news of his show's cancellation by CBS and Paramount, which is set to end in May 2026. He defiantly declares that for his remaining ten months on air, "the gloves are off." Colbert satirically dissects the network's "purely financial decision" to end the #1-rated late-night show, juxtaposing it with Donald Trump's celebratory social media post about his firing. The monologue then pivots to a detailed breakdown of a newly reported, sexually suggestive birthday letter from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein from 2003. Colbert describes its hand-drawn imagery and reads its bizarre, cryptic text, mocking Trump's subsequent denial and highlighting the close relationship between the two men. The segment is a blend of personal reflection, political satire, and sharp criticism of both the network's decision and the president's conduct.
Colbert Unleashed: A Defiant Monologue on Cancellation, Trump, and Epstein
0:00 Introduction & Cancellation: Stephen Colbert opens by confirming the news that The Late Show has been canceled and will air its final episode in May 2026.
0:56 "They Left Me Alive": In a dramatic, edited segment, Colbert declares that the network made a critical mistake by leaving him on the air for another 10 months, signaling a no-holds-barred approach for his remaining shows.
1:20 The Gloves Are Off: He formally announces that he can now speak "unvarnished truth to power" and comically understates his opinion of Donald Trump by saying, "I don't care for him."
3:06 "A Purely Financial Decision": Colbert addresses the official reason for the cancellation from CBS, humorously questioning how the #1-rated late-night show could be losing a reported $40-50 million a year.
4:38 Trump's Celebration: He reads a social media post from Donald Trump celebrating the cancellation, in which Trump calls him untalented and suggests that Jimmy Kimmel is "next" to be fired.
5:54 The Trump-Epstein Letter: The monologue shifts focus to a Wall Street Journal report detailing a sexually suggestive birthday letter sent from Trump to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.
6:20 Graphic Details: Colbert describes the letter's contents, including a hand-drawn naked woman where Trump's signature is placed to mimic pubic hair.
7:34 Bizarre Dialogue: He reads the cryptic, absurdist text of the letter, which includes lines like, "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy birthday, and may every day be another wonderful secret."
8:34 Trump's Denial: Colbert mocks Trump's defense that "I never wrote a picture in my life" by showing examples of pictures Trump has, in fact, drawn.
9:57 A Close Relationship: The segment details the close bond between Trump and Epstein, highlighting a "calendar girl competition" party at Mar-a-Lago where Epstein was reportedly the only other male guest.
Summary of Viewer Comments
Overwhelming Support & Excitement: Viewers express massive support for Colbert and are overwhelmingly excited for the next 10 months of "unleashed" and "scorched earth" comedy. The line "They left me alive" is frequently quoted as a rallying cry.
Boycotting Paramount/CBS: A dominant theme is viewers stating they have canceled their Paramount+ subscriptions in protest of the decision. Many ironically refer to their cancellation as a "purely financial decision."
Condemnation of the Network: CBS and Paramount are widely condemned as "cowardly" for what viewers perceive as caving to political pressure from the Trump administration and undermining freedom of speech.
International Solidarity: A significant number of comments come from viewers in Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries, expressing solidarity and often drawing parallels to the erosion of democracy and free press in history.
Future on Independent Platforms: Many commenters encourage Colbert to start his own independent show or podcast after leaving CBS, promising to follow him and predicting he will become even more successful without corporate oversight.
Praise for Defiance and Integrity: Viewers laud Colbert's courage, wit, and integrity for speaking truth to power, viewing him and his team as a crucial voice for sanity and democracy in challenging times.