David Letterman Calls Out CBS News, Slams Network “Idiots”

Legendary Host Speaks Out
Comedian and former Late Show host David Letterman did not hold back during a Friday podcast appearance. On The Barbara Gaines Show, hosted by his former executive producer, Letterman sharply criticized CBS News. He called the network a “wreck” and directly attacked the staff he labeled “idiots.”

“What about those idiots at CBS?” Letterman said. “CBS News is a wreck. It’s just gone. For decades, CBS News delivered integrity. Ed Murrow would broadcast the blitz of London from rooftops in World War II. That mentality built trust. Now, it’s trampled on by these idiots.”

He added, “I’m sick and tired of people saying, ‘Wait until the midterms.’ Kids, we’re far downstream from the midterms. Nothing will fix this.”

Leadership Changes at CBS
Letterman’s criticism comes months after Bari Weiss, founder of The Free Press, was named CBS News’ editor-in-chief in October. CBS News did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Late-Night Comedy Under Fire
Letterman also weighed in on fellow late-night hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and Stephen Colbert. He praised Kimmel for challenging Disney and other network owners after his brief suspension over comments about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer.

“And Seth Meyers? He’s very good,” Letterman said. “But we’re running out of platforms where you hear these voices. And Stephen Colbert and that franchise? Adios.”

Colbert Cancellation Condemned
Letterman had previously slammed CBS’ decision to cancel Colbert’s show, set to end in May 2026. “This is pure cowardice,” he said in July. “They did not do the correct thing. They mishandled Stephen Colbert, the face of the network, in a way he did not deserve.”

He also defended Kimmel, explaining that his attacks on former President Trump were not politically motivated. “This wasn’t about politics,” Letterman argued. “It was about the behavior of the person in the office. If we had a Democrat acting the same way, Jimmy would attack them just as hard.”

The Fallout
Letterman’s comments have reignited discussions about CBS News’ leadership and programming choices. Fans and media observers are debating whether the network can regain its former credibility and whether late-night comedy still has a platform to hold power accountable.