Chicago Comedians Say Colbert Cancellation Spurs More Trump Jokes

The cancellation of CBS's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, attributed by some to President Donald Trump's influence and CBS's financial concerns, has sparked debate among comedians about its impact on political satire. Contrary to fears that fewer Trump jokes would result, many Chicago comedians argue that the cancellation will lead to more, not fewer, jokes targeting the president, as mocking those in power is a traditional role of late-night comedy. Local comics like Mark Bazer and James Dugan emphasize that comedians often source material from current headlines, which remain heavily focused on Trump, making him an unavoidable subject. President Trump has publicly claimed credit for Colbert's cancellation and predicted similar fates for other late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, framing the entertainment industry as a ratings-driven business where only the talented survive. Despite concerns about potential censorship or political pressure, comedians believe that the end of Colbert’s show frees him to be more unabashed in his satire, and other hosts will continue to critique the president. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and media satire, with comedians asserting their intent to continue lampooning President Trump regardless of industry upheavals.