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- What Trump posted: an AI clip that went viral
- Where the clip appeared and how Trump commented
- Timeline: cancellation, finale and the video
- Public reaction and controversy around the cancellation
- Colbert’s take on the shutdown and the backlash
- Why the episode about a lawsuit matters
- Where the story goes next
Hours after Stephen Colbert signed off from his long-running late-night show, former President Donald Trump posted an AI-made video that turned the finale into a fresh flashpoint. The short clip, shared across multiple social accounts, sparked immediate attention and revived debates about late-night politics, synthetic media and the decision to end The Late Show.
What Trump posted: an AI clip that went viral
On May 22, an AI-generated clip circulated online showing a digital version of Donald Trump confronting a simulated Stephen Colbert on stage. The sequence depicts the AI Trump grabbing the AI Colbert, tossing him into a stage dumpster, closing the lid and celebrating with a dance.
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The footage was uploaded to X by Trump and also shared from the official White House account with the short caption “Bye-bye .”
Where the clip appeared and how Trump commented
- Trump posted the AI video on X the day after Colbert’s final show.
- The same clip was published from the White House account, amplifying its reach.
- On Truth Social, Trump used the moment to criticize late-night hosts and the industry.
In his Truth Social message, he labeled late-night hosts as “untalented, nasty, highly overpaid, not funny, and very poorly rated.” He predicted more departures from the format and added a parting barb: “May they all Rest in Peace!”
Timeline: cancellation, finale and the video
- July 2025: CBS announced plans to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
- May 21: Colbert’s final episode aired after months of speculation.
- May 22: Trump shared the AI clip and posted commentary on social platforms.
Public reaction and controversy around the cancellation
Viewers and critics questioned the network’s timing. Some suspected the move was linked to Colbert’s recent on-air remarks about the company that owns CBS. Online discussion centered on whether the cancellation was truly financial.
Executives at the network responded by insisting the decision was not tied to content or external pressures. They described the choice as one driven by financial considerations rather than the show’s performance or commentary.
Colbert’s take on the shutdown and the backlash
Colbert has publicly acknowledged the network’s stated reason. He told reporters he understood why people might doubt the explanation. He also suggested the company’s settlement with the Trump administration made the timing suspect.
He criticized the corporation for making a deal he called disproportionate to the issue. Colbert said that while he jokes about such matters, the company’s actions gave critics reason to be suspicious.
Why the episode about a lawsuit matters
Critics pointed to a recent episode in which Colbert discussed a settlement between Paramount and the Trump administration. The lawsuit centered on an edited interview on 60 Minutes, according to Colbert’s comments.
That exchange and the subsequent settlement fed theories that the show’s end was influenced by pressure from higher-ups. Network officials pushed back, repeating that budgetary factors were decisive.
Where the story goes next
- Social platforms continue to serve as the battleground for political and cultural disputes.
- AI-generated content like the dumpster clip raises fresh questions about manipulation and responsibility.
- Industry watchers will watch how networks balance finances, talent and free expression.
