Jay Leno Takes Shot At Partisan Late-Night Hosts After CBS Fires Stephen Colbert

CBS made news recently with its decision to fire Stephen Colbert and cancel the “Late Night” franchise he has hosted since taking the reins from David Letterman about a decade ago.

For some fans of his virulently leftist, anti-Trump monologues, the news was devastating. Many others are glad to see the end of a show that had become, like the rest of late-night TV, unbearably partisan in recent years.

Former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno took on the topic in a recent rant of his own.

As the Daily Caller reported, he avoided calling out anyone in particular, but made his opinion clear:

In a Saturday conversation with Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation President David Trulio, the former Tonight Show host explained why he intentionally kept his political humor balanced over his 22-year run.

“I’d get letters saying, ‘You and your Republican friends,’ and others saying, ‘You and your Democratic buddies,’ over the same joke,” Leno recalled. “And I’d think, that’s perfect. That’s how you get a whole audience.”

Leno, 75, criticized the current direction of late-night TV, noting that many comedians have become comfortable playing to just half the country. “Now you have to be content with half the audience because you have to give your opinion,” he said.

Leno emphasized the power of neutrality and connecting through humor, invoking his late friend Rodney Dangerfield’s approach: “Funny is funny… We just discussed jokes.”

“I like to bring people into the big picture,” Leno added. “I don’t understand why you would alienate one particular group. Just do what’s funny.”

After his impending departure was announced, an array of social media critics added insult to injury:

Stephen Colbert was fired because he sucked at his job. pic.twitter.com/xXWZfJYCwD

— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) July 27, 2025

Reaction to Stephen Colbert getting fired by CBS. It takes a special type of arrogance to be making 16 million, losing 40 million and publicly bash the people paying your bills. pic.twitter.com/7B40OxzFmP

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 19, 2025

Dan Bongino should investigate the drugs being fed to those who are surprised that Stephen Colbert was fired after losing his network 40 million dollars a year. pic.twitter.com/ZaPNzTV1vo

— Tesla Vee (@TeslaVee) July 27, 2025

Further humiliation ensued when a protest organized in support of Colbert attracted a laughably small number of participants, as the New York Post reported:

What a joke.

A Big Apple rally in support of on-his-way-out “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert drew fewer than two dozen people Sunday — with even the NYPD cops on scene quickly calling it a day since most of the demonstrators left after just a few minutes.

Organizers said the “We’re With Colbert” gathering outside the CBS Broadcast Center on Manhattan’s West Side said it was meant to be part of a nationwide call for “integrity.”

And here’s a video of the anemic demonstration:

JUST IN: Stephen Colbert has accused CBS of *FIRING* him because the network surrendered to Trump.

He has called on New Yorkers to join him in protesting CBS.

A truly massive crowd showed up. 🤣pic.twitter.com/tKEN0q9LR3

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) July 28, 2025