David Letterman Blasts Former Network CBS & ‘Idiots That Have Taken It Over’

Dan Clarendon
13 Comments
David Letterman speaks onstage during the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on November 8, 2025
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF

What To Know

  • David Letterman harshly criticized CBS leadership, accusing them of damaging the network’s news integrity and legacy.
  • He expressed disappointment over CBS’s rightward shift and lamented the decline of trusted voices like Stephen Colbert on late-night television.
  • Letterman defended Jimmy Kimmel against accusations of politicizing late-night, arguing that criticism is based on presidential behavior, not party affiliation.

David Letterman is no fan of the new regime at CBS, the network that hosted his Late Show for more than 20 years.

The comedian and former late-night host blasted the “idiots” in charge of the network — presumably referring to Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison and CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss — in a new video on his YouTube channel, as seen below.

“By the way, what about those idiots at CBS?” he said. “CBS News is a wreck. It’s just gone.”

Amid widespread controversy over CBS’ apparent rightward drift and its ownership’s overtures of support for U.S. President Donald Trump, Letterman mentioned CBS News’ legacy — spotlighting, in particular, Edward R. Murrow’s radio broadcasts from London during the Blitz of World War II.

“And it was that mentality that drove the integrity of CBS News that has been trampled on, pissed on, and eviscerated by these idiots that have taken it over,” Letterman added. “And I’m at a point now where it really is hurting my feelings, because I’m sick and tired of people saying, ‘Oh, wait till those midterms.’ Uh, kids, we’re far downstream of the midterms having any effect on this.”

The My Next Guest Needs No Introduction star also commended fellow late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel, who received an upswell of support amid his suspension at ABC, Late Show successor Stephen Colbert, whom CBS is letting go, and Seth Meyers, who’s still hanging on to his Late Night gig at NBC.

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“What people don’t understand is, Jimmy Kimmel single-handedly brought the people at Disney and all of those other network television owners to their knees. Jimmy Kimmel singlehandedly … made them seem and appear to be the fools they are and continues to call attention to the plight. And also Seth Meyers, he’s very good. And I’m telling you, we’re running out of places where you hear these voices. And Stephen Colbert and that franchise, adios.”

And Letterman rejected the notion that Kimmel is politicizing late-night. “If we had a president who was a Democrat and behaved the way this Republican president is behaving, Jimmy would be attacking the Democrat president just as much as he attacks [Trump]. So, it’s not like it’s all politically driven. It’s driven by the behavior of the person in the office.”

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Late Night With Seth MeyersLate Show With David LettermanThe Late Show With Stephen ColbertBari WeissDavid EllisonDavid LettermanDonald TrumpEdward R. Murrow



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  1. M

    Mark Feigenbaum

    You nailed it, Dave!!

  2. R

    Rob R

    Dave continues to be a legend, and smart as a whip.

  3. A

    Arjay

    CBS are idiots! Right on Letterman!!

  4. M

    mikal427

    I absolutely agree. I daily watched CBS News. haven't watched in a year and won't in the future. Bari Weiss blows

  5. J

    joeP

    If there is no agenda then there's no news these days. Tabloid brains.

  6. M

    Me/Virginia

    I watched Letterman throughout his late night years, but I have no interest in what he says now

    1. D

      Ddp

      Obviously one of the people in this country who watch the idiot box so they can decide what they think about issues... If you feel someone's opinion is worthy while they are on television why would their opinion not be worthy when they were no longer on television? Maybe the problem is you?

    2. T

      Tommy

      Who cares what you think, he is still very relevant.

  7. M

    mbtalon57

    david letterman has lost his mental acuity in his old age. Kimmel and company are and have always been blithering idiots.

    1. S

      sickofu

      darn good thing that your opinion is moot!

    2. G

      Green Olive

      How is that kool-aid tasting buddy??

    3. T

      Thewayitis

      "Kimmel and company are and have always been blithering idiots." And yet he still manages to have more decency in his pinky finger than the entire Trump administration.

    4. A

      auramac

      See a neurologist. Are you able to breathe on your own? Throwing ketchup on the walls lately?...