MORNING HEADLINES | South Carolina native son and CBS “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert returned to TV for the first time Monday since news last week that the network would pull the plug on the show next year.
On Monday night, Colbert said “cancel culture” had gone too far.
“‘The gloves are off! I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump. Starting now,’ the comedian said, looking right at the camera. He paused. “‘I don’t care for him.’”
CBS executives have said in a statement that the cancellation was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.”
But Colbert questioned that, noting the show is at the top of the late night ratings.
“It’s confusing,” he said. “A lot of folks are asking that question, mainly my staff’s parents and spouses.”
The announcement came three days after Colbert, a frequent critic of President Donald Trump, panned a $16 million legal settlement by CBS owner Paramount Global with Trump. He sued over interview edits in an October 2024 interview by Democratic candidate Kamala Harris with CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
During this week’s Monday night broadcast, Colbert noted CBS “followed up their gracious press release with a gracious anonymous leak,” and showed screenshots of “sources” informing The New York Post that the show loses between $40 million and $50 million a year amid falling ratings and advertising for late-night TV shows.
“$40 million’s a big number,” Colbert said. “I could see us losing $24 million, but where would Paramount have possibly spent the other $16 million? Oh yeah …”
Colbert grew up in Charleston and still has family in the area. The decision to cancel the show came only days after it landed its sixth Emmy nomination for outstanding talk show.
In other headlines
CP NEWS: Almanac: S.C. blends tragedy, coexistence through centuries. Seasoned national political author Louis Jacobson offers a fresh look at influential political and economic history in this updated profile in the soon-to-be-published 2026 edition of the Almanac of American Politics.
Three shot, nine detained in North Charleston shooting. Authorities are investigating a Monday shooting off Dorchester Road in which three people were shot. Nine people have been detained for questioning in relation to the shooting.
North Charleston police arrest five in hotel, motel sweep. North Charleston police say five people face a total of nine charges filed after a police operation at nine hotels and motels in the area. A search warrant also resulted in the seizure of 1.3 grams of crack cocaine and 1.4 pounds of marijuana, police said.
Charleston Co. to move forward with East Bay sidewalk project. A new project will install 310 feet of five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk to fill in a missing segment between Charlotte Street to Chapel Street, complete with a granite curb, accessible ramps and other features to create a safer and more inclusive walking space.
National Weather Service Charleston changing criteria for flood warnings. The National Weather Service Charleston will be making some changes to flash flood warning criteria to issue advisories in the Lowcountry, shifting to more impact-based warnings.
MUSC Hollings Cancer Center to expand key programs with $100K grant. The MUSC Hollings Cancer Center has been awarded a $100,000 grant from TD Bank to expand SC AMEN, a prostate cancer education program for Black men, and SC CHEER Youth Enjoy Science, a summer research program for high school students in Charleston County.
Group of S.C. homebuyers score breach of contract win. The S.C. Court of Appeals upheld a 2024 ruling by Charleston County Master-in-Equity Mikell Scarborough that said certain provisions in Eastwood Homes’ standard contract were “unconscionable” — or so unfair and unreasonable that they’re unenforceable.
Nonprofit tackles summer literacy with volunteer tutors in Charleston. Reading Partners, a nonprofit focused on literacy development, is working with students across Charleston to bridge the summer reading gap by offering one-on-one tutoring with community volunteers.
Folly Beach begins underground work for Center Street drainage. Folly Beach city officials want residents and visitors to know there will be temporary water and utility service impacts from July 21-25 on 8th Street East and the first block of East Cooper Avenue.
Related
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
