‘The Late Show’ Colbert, as the Run Ends, Directs Criticism at Trump… “A Narcissist Who Would Burn the World for His Own Advantage”

Stephen Colbert, long regarded as an absolute powerhouse of American late-night talk shows and known as a “Trump sniper,” poured out no-holds-barred barbs at President Donald Trump as his program’s cancellation approached.

■ “Trump is a narcissist addicted to power”… Emphasizing the essence of satire

In an interview with the U.S. daily newspaper The New York Times (NYT) on the 28th (local time), Colbert raised the intensity of his criticism toward President Trump to its highest point. He said, “The issue is not Trump’s party affiliation (the Republican Party). The core problem is that he is a complete narcissist,” adding, “He’s the kind of person who wouldn’t care if the whole world burned, as long as it serves his own interests.”

He also dismissed criticism that he is biased toward the Democratic Party, saying, “I’m not partisan. The Democrats are also the target of satire, but it’s just that the material involving Trump is overwhelmingly abundant.” He then analyzed why authoritarian leaders hate comedians, saying, “Comedians are inherently anti-authoritarian, and authoritarian people can’t tolerate the idea of being mocked.”

■ CBS’s sudden cancellation decision… Financial trouble or outside pressure?

CBS’s flagship program, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” will disappear from history after its final broadcast on the 21st of next month. Colbert, who took the microphone in 2015 as the successor to legendary host David Letterman, has protected CBS’s pride by maintaining the #1 spot in ratings.

However, last May, controversy erupted when CBS announced the cancellation of the program abruptly, citing financial reasons. In the industry, the so-called “outside-pressure theory” that it was the result of the Trump administration’s concerns about the critically inclined Colbert would not go away.

In this interview, Colbert added to the doubts by revealing, “As recently as just two years ago, the broadcaster was eager to sign me to a five-year long-term contract.” He added, “There may be financial factors like competition with streaming services, but it’s a fact that the broadcaster’s attitude changed dramatically within that short period,” leaving a pointed remark.

■ Closing out an era of late-night TV… Attention on what comes next

Colbert’s departure means more than a simple end to a program—it signals the fading of an era of American political satire comedy. He earned strong support from both critics and the public, including sweeping Emmys, but he was also one of the most controversial figures in an American society where political polarization has intensified.

Colbert, preparing a farewell broadcast on the 21st of next month, is expected not to stop his sharp satire aimed at power even in the final moments. The broadcast industry is watching to see whether, after the show ends, Colbert will move to a streaming platform and continue independently, or whether he will take a brief break.