Bruce Springsteen Calls Out Trump, Larry and David Ellison in Colbert’s Second-to-Last ‘Late Show’

The unexpected cancellation of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" has ignited intense speculation since its sudden announcement. This news emerged merely weeks before Larry and David Ellison—well-known figures who have openly backed Donald Trump—completed their purchase of Paramount Global, the corporation that owns the late-night program. Trump, who has frequently been the subject of Colbert's satirical humor, expressed delight on his social media platform, Truth Social. "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!" the president wrote. The Ellison brothers, who constructed their media empire through ventures like Skydance Media, reportedly maintain strong connections to Trump, with Larry Ellison having donated to his political campaigns. Notably, Colbert has avoided directly blaming the Ellisons or Trump for the show's termination, instead using his final episodes to allow guests to deliver pointed critiques on his behalf—a tactic that has garnered both acclaim and criticism from media analysts.

Colbert's final strategy follows a longstanding tradition of late-night hosts making bold statements as their shows conclude. His predecessor, David Letterman, famously threw furniture from the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater onto the CBS logo in a symbolic act of rebellion. During the penultimate episode, actor Robert De Niro appeared to take aim at Trump regarding the missing Epstein files, while Bruce Springsteen joined De Niro for a rendition of his anti-Trump anthem "Streets of Minneapolis." The song, which criticizes Trump's deployment of ICE agents nationwide, contains lyrics addressing violence and political betrayal. "I am here in support tonight for Stephen because you're the first guy in America who's lost his show because we got a president who can't take a joke," Springsteen told the audience. He then directed his criticism toward the Ellisons, adding, "And because Larry and David Ellison feel they need to kiss his ass to get what they want. Anyway, Stephen, these are small-minded people. They got no idea what the freedoms of this country are supposed to be about." The Ed Sullivan Theater, a historic venue in New York's theater district that has hosted iconic television moments since the 1950s, served as a fitting setting for these defiant final broadcasts. According to media historian Dr. Sarah Collins of Columbia University, "This moment reflects a broader shift where late-night television has become a battleground for political expression, with hosts increasingly willing to sacrifice commercial appeal for ideological stance."

Springsteen's performance featured the American flag projected against a brick wall, accompanied by words like "RESISTANCE," "TRUTH," and "HOPE." The lyrics painted a stark image: "Trump's federal thugs beat up on his face and his chest, then we heard the gunshots and Alex Pretti lay in the snow dead," he sang. "Their claim was self-defense, sir, just don't believe your eyes. It's our blood and bones and these whistles and phones against Miller and Noem's dirty lies." This moment highlights a larger trend in late-night television, where hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers have increasingly utilized their platforms for political commentary, often provoking backlash from conservative audiences. The Ellison brothers, recognized for their media holdings and political affiliations, have not publicly responded to Springsteen's remarks, though industry experts suggest their acquisition of Paramount Global could indicate a move toward more conservative content. Colbert's show, a staple of late-night television since 2015, concludes amid broader industry shifts, including declining viewership for traditional talk shows and growing polarization in media. As the final episodes air, many viewers question whether the show's cancellation represents a turning point for political satire in America or simply another chapter in the evolving entertainment landscape.