President Donald Trump made headlines on Tuesday night following the airing of the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony on CBS. The event, which took place earlier in the month at what Trump and his allies have renamed the Trump Kennedy Center, saw Trump as the emcee of the evening. However, instead of focusing on his hosting duties, Trump was fixated on late-night show host Stephen Colbert, who continues to mock the president on his show “The Late Show” on CBS.
In a post on his Truth Social platform at 12:16 a.m. ET, Trump lashed out at Colbert, calling him a “pathetic trainwreck” with no talent and urging CBS to cancel his show immediately instead of waiting until its scheduled end in May. Trump continued his tirade, criticizing late-night hosts across different networks for their supposed lack of talent and low ratings. He also reiterated his call for the U.S. government to revoke TV broadcasters’ licenses if they are overly negative towards him and the Republican Party.
The episode of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” that aired on Dec. 23 was a rerun featuring guests Sigourney Weaver and Mandy Patinkin. In the original airing on Dec. 8, Colbert took jabs at Trump for his involvement in the Kennedy Center Honors and his hosting duties at the event. Colbert mocked Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center and his remarks about his hosting abilities compared to late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Colbert himself.
Colbert fact-checked Trump on his confusion between Kimmel and Colbert, pointing out that he had hosted the Kennedy Center Honors in the years leading up to Trump becoming president. The host also ridiculed Trump for receiving a “fake” FIFA Peace Prize award and joked about the president receiving a fictional Hooters National Book Award.
After CBS announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” in May 2026, Trump gloated about Colbert getting fired, leading Colbert to respond on his show with a profanity-laden message to the president. CBS cited financial reasons for ending the show, attributing it to a decline in the economics of late-night TV.
In the broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 23, CBS avoided referring to the venue as the “Trump Kennedy Center,” as the ceremony was recorded before Trump’s name was added to the building. CBS News’ standards department instructed staff to continue using the original Kennedy Center name in their coverage. The ongoing feud between Trump and Colbert continues to play out in the media as both parties exchange barbs and criticisms. The announcement made by the news organization that the president or other administration officials have the prerogative to use the new name in a soundbite has sparked controversy and discussion among the public. This decision has raised questions about the power dynamics between the media and the government, as well as the implications of using certain terminology in political discourse.
The use of specific language and terminology by government officials can have a significant impact on public perception and political discourse. By allowing the president or other administration officials to use the new name in a soundbite, the news organization is essentially giving them the power to shape the narrative and control the messaging around certain issues.
This decision has also raised concerns about censorship and freedom of speech. Some critics argue that by dictating what language can or cannot be used in official communications, the news organization is limiting the ability of the government officials to express themselves freely. Others believe that certain terms may be inflammatory or misleading, and that it is important for the media to hold officials accountable for their language choices.
In the age of social media and 24-hour news cycles, the way in which information is communicated and consumed has a profound impact on public opinion. The use of specific language and terminology can shape how issues are perceived and understood by the public. By allowing government officials to use the new name in a soundbite, the news organization is essentially endorsing and legitimizing that terminology, which can have far-reaching consequences.
Ultimately, the decision to allow the president or other administration officials to use the new name in a soundbite raises important questions about the role of the media in shaping political discourse and holding government officials accountable. It is crucial for the media to maintain its independence and objectivity, while also ensuring that important issues are communicated accurately and effectively to the public.
