Jay Leno Chimes In as CBS Cancels Colbert After $16M Trump Payout [WATCH]

Jay Leno, former host of The Tonight Show, recently discussed his longstanding approach to political humor and the evolving nature of late-night television during an interview at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

Speaking with David Trulio, the foundation’s president and CEO, Leno explained why he always worked to keep his jokes balanced between both major political parties.

Trulio pointed to an analysis of Leno’s 22-year run on The Tonight Show, noting that Leno’s jokes were evenly split between targeting Republicans and Democrats.

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

When asked whether that was a deliberate strategy, Leno responded, “It was fun to me when I got hate letters [like] ‘Dear Mr. Leno, you and your Republican friends’ and ‘Well, Mr. Leno, I hope you and your Democratic buddies are happy’ — over the same joke.”

He added, “That’s good. That’s how you get a whole audience.”

Leno contrasted that approach with what he sees in today’s late-night scene.

“Now you have to be content with half the audience because you have [to] give your opinion,” he said.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Asked if he had any advice for today’s comedians, Leno spoke about his longtime friendship with the late Rodney Dangerfield.

“I knew Rodney 40 years,” Leno said.

“I have no idea if he was Democrat or Republican. We never discussed [it], we just discussed jokes.”

Leno continued, “To me, I like to think that people come to a comedy show to kind of get away from the things, you know, the pressures of life, whatever it might be. And I love political humor, don’t get me wrong, but it’s just what happens when people wind up cozying too much to one side or the other.”

He also spoke to the power of comedy in uniting audiences. “Funny is funny,” Leno said.

“It’s funny when someone who’s not… when you make fun of their side and they laugh at it, you know, that’s kind of what I do.”

“I just find getting out — I don’t think anybody wants to hear a lecture,” he added.

“When I was with Rodney, it was always in the economy of words — get to the joke as quickly as possible.”

Trulio noted that both Leno and Dangerfield saw tremendous commercial success, suggesting that their style “worked in the marketplace.”

“Well, why shoot for just half an audience all the time? You know, why not try to get the whole [audience],” Leno said in response.

“I mean, I like to bring people into the big picture. I don’t understand why you would alienate one particular group, you know, or just don’t do it at all. I’m not saying you have to throw your support or whatever, but just do what’s funny.”

Leno’s comments come amid ongoing fallout from CBS’ July 17 announcement that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would be canceled, with the final episode scheduled to air in May 2026.

The network described the move as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” and emphasized that it “is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount.”

The cancellation was announced just weeks after CBS and Paramount paid a $16 million settlement to President Donald Trump, who had sued the network over its edited broadcast of an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election.

Colbert, who has frequently criticized President Trump, responded to the settlement during an episode of his show, calling it a “big fat bribe.”

In the wake of the cancellation, several public figures, including politicians, have alleged that the decision was politically motivated.

President Trump reacted to the news by posting on Truth Social, prompting a profane response from Colbert, who told the president “Go f**k yourself” during his opening monologue on Monday.

Stephen Colbert responds to Donald Trump:

“Go f*ck yourself.”

pic.twitter.com/38MNgxLdpf

— Pop Base (@PopBase) July 22, 2025

Numerous late-night personalities have since voiced their support for Colbert. Jimmy Fallon (The Tonight Show), Seth Meyers (Late Night), John Oliver (Last Week Tonight), and Jon Stewart (The Daily Show) appeared at Colbert’s taping on Monday in a coordinated show of solidarity.

Both Stewart and Oliver previously worked with Colbert during their time on The Daily Show.

On Friday, The Late Show creator David Letterman sharply criticized CBS, calling the network’s decision “pure cowardice” and accusing executives of mistreating Colbert, who took over as host in 2015.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.