A hastily organized rally in New York City on July 27 called “We’re With Colbert” drew fewer than two dozen participants outside the CBS Broadcast Center. The event, intended to protest the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, quickly fizzled, with most attendees dispersing within minutes. Police reportedly began clearing the scene due to the low turnout.
Organizers claimed the protest aimed to defend First Amendment integrity. One participant, identifying only as “Matt” or “Slim,” accused President Trump of influencing CBS’s decision, referring to Trump with a derogatory nickname. Protesters displayed signs reading “I’m with Colbert.” In contrast, CBS says the cancellation stemmed from sharp declines in viewership, high production costs, and near $40 million in annual losses, not political motives.
The low turnout in Manhattan, home to over 8 million, shed light on the disconnect between progressive media narratives and actual public interest. One observer quipped that even the network’s critics couldn’t muster more than a handful of supporters.
This failed rally underscores the fragile appeal of partisan cultural celebrity. Real-world support failed to materialize despite media hype, mirroring the fate of Colbert’s show—once a ratings juggernaut but now monetarily unsustainable.
Organizations and networks should remain accountable to fiscal results and audience demand, not ideological signaling. The collapse of the protest affirms the importance of discerning between performative cultural gestures and meaningful support for free speech.
