Key Point Summary – Stephen Colbert Rally

• Rally meant to support Colbert drew just 20 attendees in NYC
• Protesters claim his show was canceled for political reasons
• CBS cited ratings and costs; others blame Trump-era pressure
• Colbert’s show had 176 liberal guests vs. 1 Republican since 2022
• Organizers hoped for a movement; even NYPD left early
• Larger protest earlier that week drew lawmakers, 250K-signature petition
• Colbert’s cancellation sparks bigger questions about late-night TV’s future

Pro-Colbert Protest Becomes a Punchline

What was meant to be a powerful rally for free speech and media integrity ended up looking more like a sketch from The Late Show itself. Outside the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City, just 20 people showed up Sunday for the “We’re With Colbert” demonstration — a turnout so low even the NYPD wrapped up early.

Held on July 27, the rally aimed to protest the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s long-running late-night show. But instead of sparking a nationwide movement, the event seemed to signal a fading public appetite for late-night commentary.

Colbert’s Exit Fuels Conspiracies

CBS announced earlier this month that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026, citing plummeting viewership and high production costs. But Colbert’s most loyal fans aren’t buying it.

They say the show was targeted because of Colbert’s relentless criticism of President Trump — and they suspect political pressure influenced CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, especially after its merger with Skydance Media.

Organizer “Slim,” who refused to give his full name, said the decision was a “First Amendment attack.” Another protester added, “We can’t stand for that.”

A Rally Full of Signs—But Few Supporters

The protest featured passionate signs like “Go F**k Yourself!” — a callback to Colbert’s viral monologue — and “Cancel Culture Sucks.” But with only a couple dozen people huddled outside CBS headquarters, the message fizzled fast.

The main banner, twisting Trump’s favorite phrase, read:
“The Press Is the Enemy of the People. You Just Crossed One Place Too Far. I’m With Colbert.”

Even NYPD officers assigned to the scene reportedly packed up early.

Bigger Rally Earlier, But Momentum Stalled

This was the second Colbert-related protest in NYC that week. The earlier one, held July 23, included Democratic lawmakers and garnered real attention. Organized by advocacy group Indivisible, it drew a significantly larger crowd and culminated in a 250,000-signature petition delivered to Paramount.

That event gained national coverage, unlike the Sunday flop.

The Colbert Divide: Media Icon or Outdated Act?

A study by MRC NewsBusters revealed Colbert’s strong political lean: 176 liberal guests and just one Republican since 2022. Supporters say that’s why he became a target. Critics claim it reflects the broader problem with late-night’s echo chamber appeal.

Comedians like Jon Stewart and groups like Indivisible have slammed CBS, saying the decision reeks of corporate fear. But Colbert’s declining ratings — and Sunday’s limp rally — suggest his influence may be fading, even among fans.

End of the Line for Late-Night?

Colbert’s cancellation raises bigger questions: Is traditional late-night TV dying?

With viewers fleeing to YouTube, TikTok, and streaming services, networks are scrambling. The “We’re With Colbert” rally was supposed to be a spark. Instead, it turned into a punchline.