Late-night television staple Stephen Colbert stunned fans and critics alike in a candid GQ profile published November 4, 2025, insisting he’s far more conservative than his on-screen persona suggests, while framing his sharp commentary as an honest response to what he calls a “government in extremis.” The 61-year-old host of CBS’s The Late Show, set to sign off in May 2026 after a sudden cancellation announced last summer, opened up to writer Zach Baron about public misconceptions, audience breakdowns, and the personal toll of a decade dominated by political satire.

Colbert, long branded a liberal firebrand for his relentless jabs at President Donald Trump and Republican figures, pushed back firmly against the “lefty figure” label. “People perceive me as this sort of lefty figure,” he told GQ. “I think I’m more conservative than people think. I just happen to be talking about a government in extremis.” He elaborated that his monologues function as “my reaction video to the day,” likening them to Edvard Munch’s famous painting The Scream, “but with jokes.” This perception shift, Colbert argued, stems from the extreme nature of current events rather than inherent partisanship.

The comedian pointed to his show’s viewer demographics as evidence of broader appeal. “It’s about a third Republicans, a third Democrats, a third Independents,” he revealed, countering narratives that late-night hosts alienate half the country. Figures like former Tonight Show host Jay Leno have criticized modern programs for leaning too left, but Colbert maintained his broadcast targets a “general audience” despite media balkanization.

Colbert’s claim resonates with his well-documented Catholic faith, which has shaped his worldview for decades. A practicing Roman Catholic who teaches Sunday school and has spoken openly about how faith influences his comedy, he distinguishes this from his blowhard conservative character on The Colbert Report (2005-2014). On The Late Show, “I don’t generally say or do things that I don’t mean… unless I’m in character,” he noted, emphasizing authenticity over satire.

He traced his political focus back to the 2016 election, when Trump’s campaign reignited his passion for daily discourse. Initially aiming to avoid politics after a decade of it on Comedy Central, Colbert said, “It really wasn’t until the political campaign of 2016 really started cooking that I realized again that you cannot do these shows unless you’re talking about something you really care about.” He described Trump’s rise as “a dangerous thing to clothe someone like Donald Trump… with the power and dignity of the office,” arguing it lent undue legitimacy to controversial actions.

The interview’s timing adds layers: The Late Show’s axing followed Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes lawsuit, which Paramount’s lawyers deemed meritless. Colbert called the payout “damaging to the reputation of the network, the corporation, and the news division,” suggesting it curried favor with the president—though CBS insisted the cancellation was financial, citing losses around $40 million annually. Trump celebrated the news on Truth Social, posting “I absolutely love that Colbert got fired.”

Colbert expressed mixed feelings about the end. While relieved to “get a little oxygen back into my brain” and escape the “sewer” of daily politics, he acknowledged a void: “That is the best reason to be number one. And we enjoyed nine unf**ked years.” He teased future projects, including a potential revival of his right-wing Colbert Report persona in a new format.

Reactions poured in across media. Outlets like Fox News and OutKick highlighted the irony, with skeptics questioning the claim given Colbert’s track record—176 liberal guests versus one Republican (Liz Cheney) tracked since 2022. Breitbart labeled him a “left-wing” host despite the assertion. Progressive voices on X mocked it, while conservatives saw rebranding amid job loss.

Colbert gave a specific example of unbalanced events: “It’s hard to have a balanced reaction to the idea of troops on streets of a city that actually is not undergoing an invasion.” This ties into broader critiques of government overreach, aligning with small-c conservative instincts on limited power.

The profile, part of GQ’s Men of the Year issue, humanizes a polarizing figure. Colbert reflected on community-building through shared reactions, invoking Lord of the Rings metaphors with mentor Jon Stewart. As late-night evolves—rivals like Jimmy Kimmel faced suspensions—Colbert’s words spark debate: Is he a traditionalist reacting to extremes, or damage control post-cancellation?

Social media exploded, with #ColbertConservative trending and clips garnering millions of views. Polls on X and forums split: believers cite his faith and pre-2016 apolitical leanings; doubters point to monologues and Democratic fundraising.

Colbert’s revelation reshapes perceptions of a host who dominated ratings for years. Whether small-c conservatism or rhetorical pivot, it underscores polarized times where reactions define ideologies. As he exits stage left—or center?—one thing’s clear: the jester’s throne reveals a more nuanced king.