The entertainment world is still reeling from the shock announcement that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 — but now, one of Colbert’s most famous collaborators is speaking out. And he’s not mincing words.

Jon Batiste, the Grammy-winning musician who served as bandleader and musical director for The Late Show from 2015 to 2022, has thrown his full support behind his former boss — and taken aim at what he sees as the bigger forces at play.

“What happened to my friend Stephen is a symptom of big money,” Batiste told Rolling Stone AU/NZ in an August 11 interview. “We’re in a time where the right price can silence the voice of free speech. As artists, we have to constantly fight for free speech and fight for the ability to share the authentic truth of our being.”

A Friendship Forged in Late-Night History

Batiste first joined The Late Show in 2015, the same year Colbert took over from David Letterman. The young New Orleans–born musician was in his 20s, suddenly performing on national television five nights a week, learning the fast-paced world of nightly comedy and politics.

“It meant so much to be on national television in my 20s, learning the ropes of being on a nightly show with a band, being on camera, and doing that for seven years,” he said. “I got to evolve as an artist in partnership with him.”

That partnership ended in 2022 when Batiste left to focus on his solo career — but the respect between the two men never faded. “I’m very grateful to him, and I think where he goes next, his voice won’t be silenced,” Batiste said. “The voice of free speech is challenged, but the soul of an individual cannot be canceled.”

The Shock Announcement

Fans first learned about The Late Show’s fate during Colbert’s July 17 taping. With trademark wit — and just a hint of sadness — the 61-year-old host told his audience:

“Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending The Late Show in May. It’s not just the end of our show, but the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced — this is all just going away.”

He thanked CBS for giving him “a chair and a beautiful theater to call home” and for the viewers who tuned in “from all around the world.” But the timing of the announcement raised eyebrows — and Batiste’s recent comments suggest he, too, sees a larger story.

The Political Flashpoint

Just days before the cancellation news, Colbert had openly criticized Paramount — the parent company of CBS — over its $16 million settlement with former President Donald Trump. The settlement stemmed from Trump’s claim that CBS News’ 60 Minutes deceptively edited an interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 election.

Paramount was in the middle of a high-stakes merger with Skydance, a deal requiring Trump administration approval. That merger was finalized August 7 — the same day Colbert aired his last new episode before his summer break.

CBS has denied any link between Colbert’s criticism and the cancellation, stating the decision was “not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.” Still, the coincidence has fueled speculation that corporate politics played a role.

Batiste’s Subtle but Sharp Defense

Batiste didn’t outright accuse CBS or Paramount of silencing Colbert — but his choice of words was telling. By framing the cancellation as a “symptom of big money” and warning that “the right price can silence the voice of free speech,” he tapped into the growing public suspicion that Colbert’s exit is about more than ratings.

Fans online immediately latched onto his remarks, with one tweeting: “Jon Batiste knows exactly what’s going on. This isn’t just a goodbye — this is a takedown.” Another wrote: “When the bandleader speaks, you listen. He was there. He saw it all.”

A Legacy Under Threat — Or Just Entering a New Chapter?

Batiste believes Colbert won’t fade quietly into retirement. “He’s gonna find another megaphone, another outlet,” the musician said. “I’m rooting for him.”

Industry insiders agree. Colbert’s quick wit, political savvy, and fiercely loyal audience make him a prime candidate for another big platform — whether on streaming, cable, or even a self-produced digital show.

And with nearly two years left before the final curtain falls on The Late Show, there’s still plenty of time for Colbert to make waves.

The Road Ahead

For now, Colbert is on his annual summer hiatus, returning September 2. In the meantime, CBS is filling his slot with reruns featuring celebrity guests like George Clooney, Alan Ritchson, Bernie Sanders, John Oliver, Bad Bunny, and more — a lineup that serves as both nostalgia trip and subtle reminder of Colbert’s star power.

But when he’s back, the big question is whether he’ll address the rumors swirling around his show’s end — or whether he’ll let the speculation do the talking.

Batiste, for one, seems to think the fight isn’t over. “The soul of an individual cannot be canceled,” he said. And if anyone’s proved he can bounce back from a network shake-up, it’s Stephen Colbert.