Late-Night’s Economic Downturn: Trump’s Reaction Amidst Industry Struggles

Late-night Landscape Shifts Dramatically as Colbert’s Show Nears End

The familiar fixture of Stephen Colbert’s late-night show on CBS is set to conclude in May, signaling a notable shift in the television comedy landscape.This growth follows a broader trend of evolving media consumption and, as noted in the article, comes after “stripped federal funding” for public broadcasting like PBS and NPR, which could impact other forms of commentary.

Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center, lamented the decision, calling it the “end of an era.” He emphasized that late-night television has historically served as a crucial and widely accessible platform for comedy and daily commentary. “This isn’t just the end of a show,” Gunderson stated.”it’s the quite removal of one of the few remaining platforms for daily comedic commentary.”

Former President Donald Trump, who has previously called for Colbert’s termination, expressed his satisfaction with the news on Truth Social.Trump commented, “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less then his ratings.”

The article raises questions about the financial decisions surrounding the show’s conclusion.It ponders if CBS could have found alternative cost-saving measures, citing NBC’s approach of eliminating bands on late-night shows and reducing air time for others. The strategic decision to let colbert’s show run until next May, creating a “lame duck” period, is also discussed, alongside the fact that CBS would likely continue paying Colbert until his contract expires.

CBS’s recent cancellation of “After Midnight,” the show that followed Colbert, further underscores the network’s shifting strategy in the late-night space. Bill Carter,author of “The Late Shift,” noted that CBS had previously indicated a willingness to continue “After Midnight” until host Taylor Tomlinson chose to depart.

Andy Cohen, host of Bravo’s “watch What Happens Live,” described the situation as a “very sad day for CBS,” suggesting they are “turning off the lights after the news” in the late-night arena.

While Colbert might find opportunities on streaming services if he wishes to continue, the article points to a more uncertain future for late-night comedy on traditional entertainment networks. The piece suggests that figures like Trump may outlast their “fiercest comic critics.” Jon Stewart, once a nightly presence, now appears only weekly on “The Daily show” on Comedy Central, a network with reduced original programming.

Jimmy Kimmel of ABC, who recently faced social media criticism from Trump, also has a contract that ends next year. Kimmel himself has expressed uncertainty about the long-term demands of hosting his show, having hosted it since 2003. In a 2022 interview with Variety, he admitted to having “moments where I go, I cannot do this anymore.”

The article concludes by noting that Colbert,Kimmel,and Stewart were all nominated for Emmy awards this week,highlighting their continued relevance in the comedy world even as the landscape around them transforms.

How might Trump leverage the economic struggles of late-night shows to further his narrative about media bias and the success of his political movement?

The Shifting Landscape of Late-Night Television

The late-night television landscape is facing a important economic downturn, a trend impacting viewership, advertising revenue, and overall industry stability. This isn’t a sudden collapse, but a gradual erosion accelerated by changing media consumption habits and a volatile economic climate. Key factors contributing to this decline include:

Cord-Cutting: The continued shift away from conventional cable television towards streaming services is a primary driver. Fewer households with televisions are tuning into scheduled broadcasts.

Digital Fragmentation: Audiences are increasingly fragmented across numerous digital platforms – YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, and social media – offering alternative sources of entertainment and news.

Economic Advertising Slumps: Economic uncertainty directly impacts advertising budgets. Late-night shows,heavily reliant on advertising revenue,are notably vulnerable during economic downturns.

Changing Political Climate & Satire Fatigue: A saturated political news cycle and potential “satire fatigue” may be diminishing the appeal of politically-focused late-night comedy.

Trump’s Response & Political Commentary

Former President Donald Trump has consistently weighed in on the struggles of late-night television, particularly shows critical of his presidency. His reactions have largely been dismissive and often celebratory,framing the downturn as a result of “failed” liberal comedy.

Trump’s commentary, frequently delivered via Truth Social, often focuses on:

Declining Ratings: He frequently highlights the lower viewership numbers of shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Perceived Bias: Trump accuses late-night hosts of being unfairly biased against him and his supporters, suggesting this bias contributes to their declining popularity.

“Woke” Culture: he often links the industry’s struggles to broader criticisms of “woke” culture and perceived political correctness.

His statements, while often lacking specific economic analysis, tap into a segment of the population that shares his views on media bias and political correctness. This rhetoric has,at times,fueled calls for boycotts of these programs.

The Financial Impact: numbers & Trends

the financial impact on late-night television is substantial. Here’s a breakdown of key trends:

Advertising Revenue Decline: advertising revenue for late-night shows has experienced a significant drop in recent years. Reports indicate a decline of over 30% in some cases since 2019.

Staff Reductions: Networks are responding to the financial pressures with staff reductions, including writers, producers, and other personnel. The Late Show experienced writer strikes and subsequent layoffs in 2023 and 2024.

Show Cancellations & Format Changes: Some shows have been cancelled outright, while others are experimenting with new formats to attract viewers.

Streaming Attempts: Networks are attempting to mitigate losses by making late-night clips and full episodes available on streaming platforms, but monetization remains a challenge.

Key Figures (as of Q2 2025):

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Average viewership down 25% year-over-year.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: Average viewership down 30% year-over-year.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Experienced a slight increase in younger demographic viewership due to TikTok integration, but overall numbers remain down 15% year-over-year.

Network Strategies for Survival

Facing these challenges, networks are implementing various strategies to revitalize their late-night offerings:

1. Digital Expansion: Investing in short-form content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to reach younger audiences.
2. Cross-Platform Promotion: Actively promoting late-night segments and interviews across multiple social media channels.
3. Alex Reed Selection: Focusing on attracting high-profile guests with broad appeal, beyond just political figures.
4. Format Innovation: Experimenting with new segments, interactive elements, and alternative show structures.
5. Cost Cutting: Implementing budget cuts and streamlining production processes.
6. Syndication & Streaming Deals: Exploring opportunities for syndication and licensing content to streaming services.

The Future of Late-Night: Potential Scenarios

The future of late-night television