‘Are we still canceled?’: Stephen Colbert jokes while praising Trump’s Gaza peace deal

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Stephen Colbert didn’t hold back in giving President Donald Trump credit for his Gaza peace deal. But after the rare praise, Colbert quickly turned the spotlight back on himself, jokingly asking whether his show was still canceled.

“Credit where credit is due - Donald Trump did something good… Are we still canceled? You sure? I tried,” he said, poking fun at the situation.

CBS has officially canceled 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' The decision came just days after Colbert publicly criticized President Trump and CBS’s parent company, Paramount, over a controversial legal settlement.

During his monologue, while catching up on the news he had missed while away, Colbert explained that he had asked his “crack research team” to fill him in, and that’s when he learned about Trump’s latest headlines.  

Stephen Colbert credits Trump for Gaza peace

Stephen Colbert returned to 'The Late Show' after a short break, blending his signature humor with a rare moment of praise for President Donald Trump, while cheekily checking on the status of his own canceled program.

The host had been off the air while traveling overseas, and on his Monday, October 13 show, he gave a brief rundown of the latest news he had missed. “I asked my crack research team to give me a list of some of the things that happened while I was away. And, uh, it’s a doozy,” he joked.

Among the stories, Colbert highlighted Trump’s surprising role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. “There is some good news out there. Because, today, thanks to Trump’s newly brokered ceasefire in Gaza, all living Israeli hostages and almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners have been released. It’s important,” Colbert said.

He didn’t shy away from praising Trump, but in the same breath, he quipped, “Credit where credit is due - Donald Trump did something good… Are we still canceled? You sure? I tried.”

Stephen Colbert’s show axed after mocking CBS over Trump payout

CBS announced back in July that 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' would be canceled, citing “financial constraints.” The decision came shortly after Colbert publicly criticized the network’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump. The show is set to air its final episode in May 2026.

Colbert openly criticized the network over the Trump settlement, which stemmed from a lawsuit involving a '60 Minutes' interview with Kamala Harris. He called the lawsuit a “nuisance” and also made fun of Paramount, CBS’s parent company.

Colbert even joked about the network’s handling of the situation, saying, “Keep in mind, Paramount produced 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.' They know 'completely without merit,'” he quipped.

He added a mock statement poking fun at CBS’s position: “You may take our money, but you will never take our dignity. You may, however, purchase our dignity for the low, low price of $16 million. We need the cash.”