In a week filled with political tension, legal settlements, and late-night shake-ups, an explosive rumor has taken social media by storm: former White House press secretaries Karoline Leavitt and Kayleigh McEnany were allegedly poised to take over CBS’s The Late Show, with McEnany replacing longtime host Stephen Colbert. The rumor came with sensational promises of a live premiere, high-profile guests, and a “seismic shift” in media culture.

But despite its viral appeal, the story simply isn’t true.

The Viral Claim: A Conservative Takeover of Late Night?

The spark began with online posts alleging that Karoline Leavitt—currently serving as a spokesperson for Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign—had publicly announced that Kayleigh McEnany would succeed Stephen Colbert as the new host of The Late Show. The story rapidly gained traction, particularly in conservative circles, claiming CBS was launching a bold new direction that would “shake the liberal media landscape.”

The rumor also teased that the show’s debut under McEnany’s leadership would be a live broadcast featuring a “mysterious but powerful guest”—suggested to be either Trump himself or a high-ranking media mogul. Screenshots, speculative TikToks, and AI-generated images only added fuel to the fire.

What’s Actually Confirmed?

Here’s what’s real and verifiable:

Stephen Colbert’s show is ending—but not abruptly. CBS confirmed earlier this year that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would end in May 2026, when the host’s current contract expires. The decision is part of a broader cost-cutting strategy amid Paramount Global’s ongoing restructuring (The Washington Post, Vox).
A $16 million settlement involving CBS and Donald Trump is real. CBS’s parent company, Paramount, agreed to a $16 million payout in a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump over a 2020 election special. Colbert himself joked about the payout on-air, calling it “the most expensive punchline in history” (The Guardian, CNN).
There is no credible evidence that Kayleigh McEnany is joining CBS. Neither McEnany nor Leavitt have made public statements regarding The Late Show, and CBS has not issued any announcement regarding a replacement host. Multiple fact-checking outlets, including Yahoo News and PolitiFact, have labeled the claim as false.

Who Are Karoline Leavitt and Kayleigh McEnany?

Karoline Leavitt, just 27 years old, is known for her aggressive communications style and staunch loyalty to Donald Trump. She previously served as assistant press secretary in the Trump administration and is now a prominent face in the 2024 campaign.

Kayleigh McEnany is more widely known for her tenure as White House press secretary under Trump. Since leaving the White House, she has worked as a Fox News contributor and co-host on Outnumbered.

Neither woman has a background in entertainment, comedy, or television production—making the claim that they would helm one of CBS’s most iconic shows even more implausible.

Why the Rumor Took Off

Analysts say the rumor’s viral power lies in its emotional appeal: the idea of a conservative shake-up in late-night television resonates with viewers who believe mainstream comedy skews left.

“Stephen Colbert has long been a target for right-wing critics,” says Amanda Hughes, a media analyst at Columbia University. “He’s political, outspoken, and unapologetically progressive. So the fantasy of replacing him with someone like McEnany has symbolic value, even if it’s fiction.”

In addition, the ongoing $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance Media has created a fog of uncertainty around CBS’s programming, which conspiracy theorists have used to their advantage.

CBS and the Future of Late Night

Late-night TV is undergoing a transformation, as audiences shift to streaming and digital platforms. CBS’s decision to end Colbert’s run in 2026 isn’t unique—NBC’s The Tonight Show and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! are also reportedly reevaluating budgets and formats.

Whether The Late Show will continue with a new host or be replaced entirely remains to be seen. CBS has not announced any plans for

Final Word

Despite its viral velocity, the rumor that Karoline Leavitt announced Kayleigh McEnany as the next host of The Late Show has no foundation in reality. It reflects a political fantasy more than a programming decision.

For now, Stephen Colbert remains the host of The Late Show, with two seasons left before his contract ends. And unless CBS says otherwise, late-night’s future remains a blank slate—not a conservative media coup.