Celebrity Criticism on The Late Show
During the penultimate episode of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert hosted a star-studded lineup. Among the guests were legendary musician Bruce Springsteen and actor Robert De Niro, both of whom took the opportunity to express their disapproval of former President Donald Trump.
Springsteen’s Commentary on Media and Politics
Bruce Springsteen concluded the Wednesday, May 20, broadcast with a performance of his song “Streets of Minneapolis.” Before taking the stage, however, he addressed the show's upcoming conclusion and criticized the leadership at Paramount Skydance.
“I am here tonight in support for Stephen because you’re the first guy in America who’s lost his show because we’ve got a president who can’t take a joke,” Springsteen remarked. “Stephen, these are small-minded people… they got no idea what the freedoms of this beautiful country are supposed to be about.”
Springsteen further alleged that the company's leadership was prioritizing political favor over artistic freedom.
Trump’s Response and De Niro’s Jab
Donald Trump has frequently targeted late-night hosts on social media. Following news regarding the status of The Late Show, Trump expressed satisfaction on his Truth Social platform, disparaging the hosts' talents and ratings while praising other media figures.
In a unique twist on the program, Stephen Colbert switched places with his guests, answering questions from celebrities like Billy Crystal, Martha Stewart, and Robert De Niro. When the conversation turned to a game of picking numbers, De Niro seized the moment to criticize the former president:
“OK, ‘cause I thought it would have been 2.5 million. That’s the number of Epstein files Trump still hasn’t released,” the actor quipped.
Looking Toward the Finale
Stephen Colbert’s final episode is scheduled to air on Thursday, May 21. Reflecting on his tenure in a recent interview, Colbert expressed a humble goal for his departure:
“I hope they laughed. I hope they felt better at the end of the day,” he stated. “We’re the last thing you see. A lot of things happen in a day, but we bat last, and so we get the last take that people hear before they go to bed, and I hope it made their day better.”