Colbert’s Monologue Draws Sharp Rebuke From Trump, Highlighting Persistent Tensions in Late-Night Television

In the latest episode of the long-running feud between President Trump and late-night television hosts, Mr. Trump took to his social media platform early Wednesday to denounce Stephen Colbert as a “pathetic trainwreck” and urged CBS to cancel “The Late Show” immediately, rather than waiting until its scheduled conclusion in May 2026.

The president’s outburst appeared to stem from a rerun of a Dec. 8 episode of Mr. Colbert’s program, in which the host mocked Mr. Trump’s decision to appoint himself chair of the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees and his plans to host the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. During the monologue, Mr. Colbert noted the unusual nature of a sitting president overseeing a performing arts institution, quipping that the commander in chief might be too occupied with national affairs to manage theater logistics.

Mr. Trump, in a post on Truth Social at 12:16 a.m. Eastern time, described Mr. Colbert as lacking “talent or anything else necessary for show business success.” He added that the host was “running on hatred and fumes” and characterized him as “a dead man walking.” In a particularly vivid phrase, the president suggested that CBS should “put him to sleep” now, calling it “the humanitarian thing to do.”

The exchange underscores the enduring friction between Mr. Trump and late-night comedians, a dynamic that has persisted since his first presidential campaign. Mr. Colbert, whose program has consistently ranked as the highest-rated in its time slot for years, has frequently used his opening monologues to critique the president’s policies, statements and personal conduct. While CBS announced the show’s end earlier this year citing financial considerations amid a challenging late-night landscape, the timing and Mr. Trump’s public gloating have fueled speculation about external pressures.

In the rerun episode that prompted the president’s ire, Mr. Colbert also addressed Mr. Trump’s earlier confusion of him with fellow host Jimmy Kimmel regarding past Kennedy Center hosting duties. “Just a quick brain check for Grandpa Puddin’ Skull,” Mr. Colbert said, clarifying that he, not Mr. Kimmel, had emceed the event in the years before Mr. Trump’s initial presidency.

The president’s post quickly drew reactions across social media, with supporters echoing his criticism and detractors pointing to what they described as an attempt to intimidate media figures. Representatives for CBS and “The Late Show” did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This is not the first time Mr. Trump has targeted Mr. Colbert directly. Earlier this year, after the network’s announcement of the show’s cancellation, the president celebrated the news online, prompting Mr. Colbert to respond forcefully on air. The host has maintained that the decision was purely economic, though he has not shied away from sharp commentary on the administration.

Late-night television has long served as a forum for political satire, a tradition dating back decades. Yet under Mr. Trump’s second term, the genre has faced heightened scrutiny, with declining overall viewership compounded by shifting audience habits toward streaming and short-form content. “The Late Show” has remained a leader in the field, but industry analysts note that production costs and advertising revenue have made even top performers vulnerable.

Mr. Trump’s comments also extended to other late-night programs, as he questioned in a follow-up post which network — CBS, ABC or NBC — had the “worst” host, claiming they shared “high salaries, no talent” and low ratings.

As the holiday season approaches, with many programs airing reruns, the incident serves as a reminder of the polarized media environment. While Mr. Colbert’s final season continues into the new year, episodes like the one rebroadcast this week illustrate the host’s unflinching style, one that has both sustained his audience and drawn repeated presidential attention.

The broader implications for free expression in comedy and journalism remain a topic of debate among media watchers. For now, the back-and-forth between the White House and the Ed Sullivan Theater shows no signs of abating.