Jimmy Fallon Reacts to Colbert’s Late Show Axing as Trump Taunts, “Kimmel Is Next”

Jimmy Fallon has broken his silence on the shocking news that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will be coming to an end.

“I’m just as shocked as everyone,” Fallon wrote on Instagram Stories Friday, July 18. “Stephen is one of the sharpest, funniest hosts to ever do it. I really thought I’d ride this out with him for years to come.”

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon host added, “I’m sad that my family and friends will need a new show to watch every night at 11:30. But honestly, he’s really been a gentleman and a true friend over the years – going back to The Colbert Report. Whatever he does next will be just as brilliant.”

CBS announced Thursday, July 17, that Colbert’s long-running late-night franchise will officially conclude in May 2026. “We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire The Late Show franchise at that time,” the network confirmed in a press release. “We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television.”

The statement praised Colbert’s achievements, noting his “cutting-edge comedy, must-watch monologue and high-profile interviews with leaders across entertainment, politics, and news.” It also highlighted that the show has been No. 1 in late night for nine consecutive seasons. CBS emphasized the decision was strictly financial and “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

While Fallon and other celebrities voiced support for Colbert and his crew, former President Donald Trump openly celebrated the cancellation. In a fiery Truth Social post Friday, Trump wrote:

“I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!”

Trump also touted Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld as “better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show” — a clear jab at Fallon.

The cancellation comes just weeks after Paramount, CBS’ parent company, settled a $16 million lawsuit with Trump following his accusation that 60 Minutes had heavily edited a 2024 interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Colbert himself addressed the news during Thursday’s broadcast. “It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away,” he told viewers. He also expressed gratitude to CBS, calling them “great partners,” and thanked his nearly 200-person staff.

“We get to do this show for each other, every day, all day,” Colbert reflected. “And I get the pleasure and responsibility of sharing what we do with you for the last 10 years. Let me tell you, it’s a fantastic job… I wish someone else was getting it. And it’s a job I’m looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months.”