The rumor claimed that Stephen Colbert would be 'joining CNN once his contract ends,' citing alleged behind-the-scenes turmoil at CBS

In July 2025, Stephen Colbert, host of "The Late Show" on CBS, announced he would move to CNN when his contract ended. After the television network CBS announced in July 2025 that it would cancel comedian Stephen Colbert's late-night talk show, a rumor spread online that Colbert would move to CNN when his contract ended.

David Letterman posted a video and a quip this week, seemingly in response to news that CBS would be ending “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in May 2026.