David Letterman Slams CBS Over Cancellation of The Late Show, Calls Decision “Pure Cowardice”

David Letterman, the original host of The Late Show and a legendary figure in late-night television, has broken his silence on CBS’ controversial decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Colbert, who took over the reins from Letterman in 2015, is slated to sign off in May 2026, marking the end of an era for the network’s iconic late-night program.

In a passionate response to the news, Letterman did not hold back. In a YouTube video shared with his former executive producer, Barbara Gaines, he called CBS’s decision “pure cowardice,” sharply criticizing the network for its handling of the situation.

A Financial Decision or Something Deeper?

While CBS has publicly stated that the cancellation was a “financial decision” and claimed that The Late Show was losing money, Letterman was quick to call out the network for what he perceived as an unfounded claim.

“They’ve given [Colbert] another 10 months, that’s another huge chunk of money they’re gonna lose, according to them,” Letterman argued, pointing out that the losses CBS cited couldn’t have materialized overnight. “If they were losing that kind of money — you’re telling me losing this kind of money happened yesterday? I bet they were losing this money a month ago or six weeks ago. Or they were never losing that kind of money.”

Criticizing CBS’s Priorities

Letterman didn’t stop at just criticizing the financial reasoning. He also took aim at CBS’s handling of Colbert, the network’s top late-night star. “They did not handle Stephen Colbert, the face of that network, in the way he deserves,” Letterman added, emphasizing the unjust nature of the decision.

Furthermore, Letterman turned his attention to another controversial decision by CBS: its $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump related to a lawsuit over an interview conducted for 60 Minutes. “You’re telling me 60 Minutes, the pinnacle of journalistic excellence and integrity for decades, decided, ‘Aw, we’re sorry, let us give you $20 million’?” Letterman remarked. “I believe this is in the wake of that,” suggesting that CBS’s priorities were driven by corporate and political concerns rather than genuine business strategy.

Colbert as a Martyr

Despite his frustration with CBS, Letterman found a silver lining for Colbert in this situation. “For Stephen, I love this, because he gets to be a martyr,” he said, acknowledging that Colbert’s departure would only add to his legacy as a figure who stood his ground in the face of corporate pressure.

However, Letterman was not optimistic about the future for CBS executives who made the decision to cancel The Late Show. He predicted a day of reckoning for those responsible for the move: “I think one day, if not today, the people at CBS who have manipulated and handled this are going to be embarrassed. This is gutless.”

A Bitter End to an Era

Letterman’s words mark a stark reminder of the changing landscape of late-night television and the challenges faced by hosts who attempt to push boundaries in an increasingly corporate-driven industry. With Colbert’s departure looming, many are left wondering whether this is the final chapter for late-night programming as we’ve come to know it.

For now, Letterman’s scathing remarks have added fuel to the fire, igniting a conversation about the intersection of media, politics, and corporate control in the entertainment industry. As Colbert prepares for his final act, the legacy of late-night television and the voices that defined it remain at the forefront of this ongoing debate.