Bruce Springsteen used his appearance on Stephen Colbert’s penultimate episode of The Late Show to deliver one of the week’s sharpest political moments, taking aim at Donald Trump, CBS ownership, and the network’s decision to end the long-running show. The episode aired during Colbert’s farewell week, just before the final broadcast scheduled for May 21, 2026.
Springsteen appeared on the show on May 20 and made it clear he was there to support Colbert. During the conversation, he said Colbert was “the first guy in America” who lost his show because Trump “can’t take a joke,” a line that instantly turned the segment into a political flashpoint. He also criticized Paramount and CBS ownership, saying the people running the company had acted in a small-minded way.
The timing made the moment even more pointed. CBS had announced in July 2025 that The Late Show would end after Colbert’s contract expired, describing the move as a financial decision and saying it was not related to performance or content. Still, the cancellation drew immediate controversy because Colbert had been openly critical of CBS parent company Paramount after its settlement with Trump.
Springsteen’s guest spot also fit the tone of his current tour. He is on the road with the Land of Hope and Dreams tour, a run that has frequently included direct political commentary and protest-driven material. That tour has also been the subject of its own controversy, with Trump and his allies repeatedly attacking Springsteen from the sidelines.
During the show, Springsteen also performed “Streets of Minneapolis,” a protest song that he dedicated to Colbert. The performance added another layer to the appearance, tying together his support for the host, his criticism of Trump, and the broader political tone he has embraced onstage throughout 2026.
The Late Show finale itself was always going to be a major TV moment, but Springsteen’s visit gave it extra weight. CBS has said the decision to end the franchise was financial, while critics have argued the politics around the network, the Trump settlement, and the pending Paramount-Skydance deal made the timing look far more loaded.
For Springsteen, the appearance was classic Bruce: direct, confrontational, and tied to a bigger cause. For Colbert, it was a fitting sendoff from one of America’s most famous rock voices at the exact moment the late-night host is closing the book on an 11-year run.
