But Paramount’s future aside, the end of Colbert signals a dark new chapter in Trump’s authoritarian slide. Though his second term has already produced a string of stunning capitulations by some of the most powerful forces in the country, one could argue that Trump’s attacks had yet to take down our actual culture. I’m talking about the literal content we consume—the television, art, movies, literature, music—no matter how much Trump complained. That it remained protected and free-willed, a rare area of control for a public that otherwise feels powerless to take action. Clearly, that was magical thinking. If this can happen to Colbert and a storied franchise, this can happen to anyone.
The only upside is that Colbert will soon be free to go scorched earth against a president he detests. Every other network stands to gain enormously right now. Here’s to hoping a spine emerges.
Have you forgotten about the Kennedy Center?
Thanks! I wasn’t aware
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts#Management:
On February 10, 2025, Trump named Richard Grenell to serve as interim executive director.[92][93] Trump criticized the center’s drag and LGBTQ programming, vowing to be the one who decides what is to be performed in the venue.[94][95] He dismissed Board members and named his own who elected him as chair on February 12, 2025.[96][97][98] The center soon cancelled the national tour of the new children’s musical Finn (which involves coming-of-age themes), with a Kennedy Center spokesperson calling it “a purely financial decision”.[99] The public criticized the move as an attack on free speech and accessibility to the performing arts.[100] Celebrities who subsequently disassociated themselves from the Kennedy Center have included Rhiannon Giddens,[101] Issa Rae, Renée Fleming, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds.[102] The musical Hamilton, play Eureka Day and various other shows and artists soon cancelled performances at the center.[103] After Yasmin Williams expressed concern about changes at the center, Grenell stated, “Every single person who cancelled a show did so because they couldn’t be in the presence of Republicans,” and “I cut the DEI bullshit because we can’t afford to pay people for fringe and niche programming that the public won’t support”.[104]
What about ‘Colbert Presents Sesame Street for Republicans’
Oh boo hoo a ultra neolibs show is ending yawn.
Corruption that chills free speech and especially anything close to journalism critical of the current regime is actually a significant issue. The political leaning of the target isn’t really the issue here, champ.
It is the issue to the kind of people who adhere to ‘no bad tactics, only bad targets’. They’re fine with any sorts of horrible things being done, as long as it’s done to the Right People.
That’s what happens when you have a team, but not principles. It’s sad, really.
This is why I despise conservatives in America so much. They treat politics like it’s fucking sports. The election season is the play offs and the presidential election is the Super Bowl. I’m so fucking sick of it. At least sports teams are somewhat better at following the rules… I guess, but with the rise of sports gambling……. I’m not doubting it’s not rigged at this point too.
What if Biden shut down any Conservative show he disliked?? Alex Jones doesn’t count because he lied and harassed parents of victims of a mass school shooting though before you give that as an example.
Itd be “Oh boo hoo a ultra neocon show is ending yawn.”
