Bruce Springsteen paid a special visit to The Late Show in its final days on CBS where he voiced his support for Stephen Colbert and took aim at President Trump and CBS’ new corporate overlords for canceling the late night staple.
Before launching into a performance of his song “Streets of Minneapolis,” the Boss himself implied he believed The Late Show was canceled because of Colbert’s outspoken criticism for Trump. CBS claimed the late night show was canceled in 2025 due to “financial reasons,” but the decision raised some red flags considering it coincided with Paramount, CBS’ parent company, paying a settlement of $16 million to Trump. The company also needed the Trump-controlled FCC to approve its merger with Skydance.
“I’m here in support tonight for Stephen, because you are the first guy in America who lost his show because we got a president who can’t take a joke,” Springsteen began.
He went on to criticize David Ellison, the new CEO of Paramount Skydance, and his father Larry Ellison, who are both vocal Trump supporters.
“And because Larry and David Ellison feel they need to kiss his ass to get what they want,” Springsteen said. “Stephen, these are small minded people. They got no idea what the freedoms of this beautiful country are supposed to be about.”
President Trump has made his feelings clear about the decision to cancel The Late Show. “I absolutely love that Colbert’ got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings,” Trump said at the time. “I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!”
Springsteen’s emotional and patriotic ballad “Streets of Minneapolis” directly calls out Trump’s ICE crackdown in Minneapolis, making references to the late Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed during anti-ICE protests.
“Trump’s federal thugs beat up on his face and his chest, then we heard the gunshots and Alex Pretti lay in the snow dead,” he sang. “Their claim was self-defense, sir, just don’t believe your eyes. It’s our blood and bones and these whistles and phones against Miller and Noem’s dirty lies.”
Trump recently called Springsteen a “bad, and very boring singer” in a Truth Social post. After claiming he suffers from TDS, or Trump Derangement Syndrome, Trump said Springsteen is “a total loser” and advised his supporters, “MAGA SHOULD BOYCOTT HIS OVERPRICED CONCERTS, WHICH SUCK. SAVE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. AMERICA IS BACK!!!”
Colbert’s plans for his final episode, which airs Thursday, May 21, still remain under wraps. However, Springsteen could very well be the final musical artist to perform on The Late Show ever now.
Fans hoping to stream the finale can see it Paramount+.
Paramount+ Premium customers can stream episodes live, while new episodes will be made available the day after they air to Paramount+ Essential customers.
