Bruce Springsteen jabs Trump, Paramount on Stephen Colbert’s second-to-last ‘Late Show’

Bruce Springsteen made a powerful statement during his appearance on the second-to-last episode of Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” on Wednesday night. The legendary rock star wasted no time in taking a jab at President Trump and CBS parent company Paramount Skydance.

As soon as he took the stage, Springsteen didn’t hold back. “I’m here in support tonight for Stephen, because you’re the first guy in America who’s lost his show because we’ve got a president who can’t take a joke,” he declared. He then turned his attention to Larry and David Ellison, accusing them of appeasing Trump to get what they want.

Springsteen went on to perform his song “Streets of Minneapolis,” a track he released earlier in the year as a critique of Trump’s immigration policies. The song is dedicated to two anti-ICE protesters who were tragically killed during immigration enforcement operations in the city.

President Trump, a frequent target of both Colbert and Springsteen, has yet to respond to the performance. The tension between the artists and the former president has been palpable in recent months.

Colbert’s long-standing tenure on the “Late Show” is coming to an end, with the final episode scheduled for Thursday night. The decision to cancel the show was announced by CBS, citing financial reasons amid reported annual losses of $40 million.

The network’s parent company, Paramount, was acquired by Skydance for $8.4 billion in a deal that was finalized in August 2025. David Ellison, the former CEO of Skydance Media, now leads Paramount Skydance following the merger.

Critics, including former host David Letterman and fellow late-night personality Jimmy Kimmel, have questioned the official explanation for Colbert’s show ending. Many suspect political motivations at play, especially given Paramount’s efforts to secure regulatory approval for the Skydance acquisition.

Despite the network’s denial of political influences, Trump has openly celebrated the cancellation of Colbert’s show. In a scathing post on Truth Social last year, the former president labeled Colbert as a “pathetic trainwreck” lacking the necessary talent for success in show business.

The tension between artists, media conglomerates, and political figures continues to play out in the entertainment landscape, with Springsteen and Colbert using their platforms to address important societal issues and challenge those in power.