Trump’s Demand for Stephen Colbert’s Exit Ignites Controversy

By CNN Staff, August 13, 2025, 7:47 PM EST

In a dramatic escalation of tensions, President Donald Trump today demanded that Stephen Colbert, host of CBS’s The Late Show, leave the United States immediately. Speaking at a White House briefing, Trump accused Colbert of undermining his administration through relentless satire. “Stephen Colbert’s jokes are a disgrace to this country,” Trump stated. “He needs to get out now!” The remarks, delivered with fiery conviction, have sparked widespread outrage and debate.

Trump’s demand appears rooted in Colbert’s recent monologues, which sharply criticized the president’s trade policies and handling of recent protests. The comedian has been a consistent thorn in Trump’s side, using his platform to lampoon the administration’s actions. The president’s call for Colbert’s departure has raised alarms about free speech, with critics labeling it an overreach of executive power.

Colbert responded live on air just 30 minutes later, addressing Trump’s statement with his signature wit and defiance. “If you want to use your power to oppress others, I will reveal a plot from your campaign aimed at silencing dissent,” he declared, pausing for effect as the audience erupted. Colbert offered no specifics about the alleged plot, but his cryptic warning has set off a firestorm of speculation. Social media platforms are buzzing with #ColbertStays trending alongside heated exchanges between Trump supporters and those defending the comedian’s right to free expression.

Legal scholars have emphasized that Trump’s demand holds no legal weight, as no mechanism exists for a president to expel a citizen based on personal grievances. Nevertheless, the statement has deepened concerns about the administration’s stance toward media critics. Political analysts see this as part of a broader pattern of Trump targeting high-profile figures who challenge his narrative, a tactic that has defined much of his second term.

The White House has not elaborated on Trump’s remarks, and Colbert’s team has promised a full response on tomorrow’s Late Show episode, airing at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS. As the nation grapples with this latest clash, questions swirl about what Colbert’s “plot” might entail and whether it could alter the political landscape. The controversy is sure to dominate headlines, with both sides digging in for a protracted battle.