Jon Stewart delivered a strong critique of CBS and Paramount Global on Monday night’s episode of “The Daily Show,” following the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The segment, which aired uncensored on July 21, 2025, concluded with Stewart leading a gospel choir in a pointed, profanity-filled message to media corporations.
The host began his monologue by reflecting on his long-standing relationship with Colbert, highlighting their six years working together on “The Daily Show” before Colbert launched “The Colbert Report” in 2005 and later took over CBS’ “Late Show” in 2015. Stewart commended Colbert’s achievements, acknowledging his rise to the top of network late-night television.
Stewart questioned CBS’s claim that financial reasons were behind the cancellation. He pointed to Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which was awaiting FCC approval at the time and has since been approved, and suggested the cancellation might be linked to appeasing President Donald Trump, especially after Paramount’s recent $16 million settlement of a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump over a “60 Minutes” interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
During the monologue, Stewart acknowledged the financial difficulties facing late-night television, likening it to running a Blockbuster kiosk inside a Tower Records. However, he argued that shows like Colbert’s have significantly contributed to the $8 billion valuation that Paramount and its advertisers now seek to preserve through cancellations and content restrictions.
Stewart expressed the belief that the cancellation is a result of what he termed as fear and pre-compliance within American institutions. He suggested corporations are trying to become so uncontroversial that they avoid future issues with the Trump administration, yet he warned that this strategy would be ineffective in avoiding scrutiny.
Stewart referenced Trump’s recent lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News, as an example that even media outlets supportive of Trump are not immune to his criticism. He noted that despite Fox News’s frequent promotion of Trump, the president still opted to sue Murdoch over coverage.
In the segment, Stewart declared his refusal to succumb to corporate pressure. “I’m not giving in, I’m not going anywhere,” he stated, though he added “I think,” indicating some uncertainty about his show’s future amid changes in ownership.
Last week, CBS announced the conclusion of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in 2026, at the end of the current television season, citing financial reasons unrelated to the show’s performance, content, or other matters at Paramount. The network stated that Colbert is irreplaceable, leading to the retirement of the “Late Show” franchise rather than finding a new host.
Industry analysts have questioned the financial reasoning, given the show’s status as the top-rated network late-night program for over three decades. The timing, following Colbert’s criticism of Paramount’s settlement with Trump, has spurred speculation of political motives.
Stewart and Colbert share a professional and personal relationship, with Stewart serving as an executive producer on “The Late Show.” Both have the same manager, James “Baby Doll” Dixon, who is also an executive producer on both programs. Their collaboration dates back to 1997 when Colbert joined “The Daily Show” as a correspondent.
The uncertainty surrounding late-night programming extends beyond Colbert’s show. Stewart previously expressed concerns about “The Daily Show’s” future under Skydance ownership during a July 17 podcast episode. He suggested that new owners led by David Ellison might dismantle Comedy Central, though the network still relies heavily on “The Daily Show” and “South Park” for programming.
Despite the challenges, Comedy Central announced this week that Josh Johnson joined the rotating host lineup for “The Daily Show.” Johnson, a writer on the program since 2017, anchored the July 22 episode alongside existing hosts Ronny Chieng, Jordan Klepper, Michael Kosta, and Desi Lydic, while Stewart continues with his Monday-only hosting schedule.
