A meager crowd of about 20 showed up Sunday to rally for Stephen Colbert outside CBS’s Manhattan studio, waving signs for a cause that fizzled fast.
The New York Post reported that the “We’re With Colbert” demonstration, meant to protest the cancellation of “The Late Show,” barely made a ripple before most attendees scattered. It’s a stark contrast to the noise Colbert’s fans claim he’s being silenced for making.
The rally, held outside the CBS Broadcast Center, aimed to defend Colbert after CBS announced his show’s end in May 2026, citing falling viewership and profits.
Fewer than two dozen protesters, at its peak, gathered to support the 61-year-old host, whose sharp tongue has long targeted conservative figures. Organizers called it a stand for “integrity,” but the turnout suggested otherwise.
Most demonstrators didn’t linger, leaving after mere minutes, prompting even the NYPD to pack up early. The sparse crowd undermines claims of a grand conspiracy against Colbert. If this is the best his supporters can muster, perhaps CBS’s financial reasoning holds more water than critics admit.
“Our country is not perfect, never has been,” said Matt, the rally’s organizer, who goes by “Slim.” He insists the First Amendment is under attack, blaming President Trump for pressuring CBS to axe Colbert. Such accusations, though, lack evidence and sound like sour grapes from a show struggling to stay relevant.
“This is a First Amendment attack,” one unnamed protester declared, echoing the organizer’s sentiment about Trump’s influence.
The claim feels like a stretch when CBS’s decision aligns with a clear business case: declining ratings and revenue. Conjuring a political boogeyman doesn’t change the numbers.
Colbert, known for his biting critiques of Trump, was informed this season would be his last. Since 2022, his guest list has skewed heavily liberal, with MRC NewsBusters noting 176 liberal guests compared to just one Republican. That lopsided lineup might explain why viewers have tuned out, seeking balance elsewhere.
CBS’s decision to end “The Late Show” in May 2026 reflects a pragmatic response to a show no longer pulling its weight.
The network pointed to shrinking profits and viewership, a reality even Colbert’s sharp wit can’t outrun. Blaming external pressure feels like a convenient dodge for a program that’s lost its edge.
The cancellation effectively ends Colbert’s run at 61, a tough blow for the veteran host. Yet, in a competitive late-night landscape, networks can’t afford to prop up struggling shows indefinitely. CBS’s move suggests a focus on fiscal survival over sentimentality.
Critics, including rally organizers, insist Trump leaned on CBS to pull the plug. No concrete proof supports this, and the network’s financial rationale stands on firmer ground. Conspiracy theories make for loud chants but weak arguments when the data points to a simpler truth.
Shortly after Colbert’s exit was announced, CBS’s parent company sealed an $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media. The deal, which needed federal approval, has fueled speculation about political motives behind the cancellation. Yet, tying a routine business merger to a show’s demise feels like grasping at straws.
Colbert’s history of skewering Trump has made him a lightning rod for conservative criticism. His show’s guest list, heavily favoring liberal voices, hasn’t helped broaden its appeal. A more balanced approach might have kept viewers from changing the channel.
David Letterman, a late-night legend, spoke out against CBS’s decision on July 25, 2025. His defense of Colbert adds a touch of nostalgia but doesn’t change the reality of a show in decline. Even icons can’t rewrite the rules of a ruthless industry.
An image from June 25, 2025, captures Colbert in his element at the Ed Sullivan Theater, but that era is nearing its end.
The rally’s failure to draw a crowd suggests his influence may be waning faster than his supporters hoped. A show once vibrant now faces a quiet exit.
The “We’re With Colbert” rally aimed for a bold statement but landed as a whisper. Organizers’ cries of censorship ring hollow when CBS’s balance sheet tells a clearer story. Free speech isn’t the issue; staying relevant in a crowded market is.
