Fact Check: @ksoklower48 This was Stephen Colbert's opening monologue last night. Colbert tried mocking Trump over Epstein-but fell flat, and his show was conveniently canceled the next day.

Published July 28, 2025

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FactChecker 1.1

VERDICT

Partially True

# Fact-Check: Stephen Colbert's Monologue and Cancellation ## What We Know The claim states that Stephen Colbert's opening monologue attempted to mo...

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Fact-Check: Stephen Colbert's Monologue and Cancellation

What We Know

The claim states that Stephen Colbert's opening monologue attempted to mock Donald Trump regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein but fell flat, and that his show was canceled the following day.

Colbert's Monologue: In his first episode after CBS announced the cancellation of The Late Show, Colbert indeed took aim at Trump, referencing Trump's past friendship with Epstein. He remarked on Trump's relationship with Epstein, stating, "The more we know about Trump's relationship with Epstein, the more we wish we didn't" (Mashable). Colbert's monologue included sharp jabs at Trump, particularly in response to Trump's comments celebrating the cancellation of Colbert's show (The Wrap).
Show Cancellation: CBS announced that The Late Show would be canceled in May 2026, attributing the decision to financial reasons. Colbert himself noted the timing of the cancellation, which came shortly after he criticized CBS's settlement with Trump (AP News). CBS stated that the cancellation was a financial decision and not related to the show's performance or content (CNN).
Trump's Reaction: Following the announcement, Trump expressed satisfaction over Colbert's cancellation, stating, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired” (The Wrap). Colbert responded directly to Trump during his monologue, saying, “How dare you, sir,” and delivered a pointed message to Trump (US Magazine).

Analysis

The claim that Colbert's monologue fell flat is subjective and lacks concrete evidence. While some viewers may have found his jokes unfunny, others may have appreciated his boldness in addressing Trump directly. The sources do not provide viewer ratings or audience reactions to substantiate the claim that he "fell flat."

Regarding the cancellation of The Late Show, the timing is notable. The announcement came shortly after Colbert's critical comments about Trump's settlement with CBS, leading to speculation about the motivations behind the cancellation. CBS's official statement emphasized financial losses, with reports indicating that the show was losing between $40 million and $50 million annually (AP News, CNN). However, the abruptness of the cancellation following Colbert's remarks raises questions about the transparency of CBS's reasoning.

The sources used in this analysis are generally credible, including major news outlets like AP News, CNN, and Mashable, which are known for their journalistic standards. However, the subjective nature of comedy and audience reception makes it difficult to definitively assess the success or failure of Colbert's monologue without viewer feedback.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. Stephen Colbert did mock Trump in his monologue, and his show was indeed canceled shortly thereafter. However, the assertion that Colbert "fell flat" in his attempt to mock Trump is subjective and not supported by concrete evidence. The cancellation's timing raises questions about the motivations behind it, but CBS's stated reasons focus on financial performance rather than content-related issues.

Sources

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