Rock legend Bruce Springsteen made a surprise appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday night, where he publicly supported outgoing host Stephen Colbert ahead of the programme’s final episode.
During the show, Springsteen delivered an emotional speech defending Colbert while criticising political pressure and corporate influence in the media industry.
“I am here tonight to support Stephen, because you’re the first guy in America who lost his show because we’ve got a president who can’t take a joke,” Springsteen said.
The singer also appeared to criticise the Ellison family, who now control Paramount Global after its merger with Skydance Media.
“And because Larry and David Ellison feel the need to kiss his ass to get what they want,” he added.
Springsteen continued his remarks by praising Colbert and condemning what he described as attacks on free expression.
“Stephen, these are small-minded people,” he said. “They’ve got no idea what the freedoms of this beautiful country are supposed to be about.”
The music icon later performed his song “Streets of Minneapolis,” dedicating it to Colbert. The track was originally written following the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis earlier this year.
Springsteen first performed the song publicly at the Defend Minnesota benefit concert organised by Tom Morello. The single later topped Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart, with the singer pledging all proceeds to the victims’ families.
Colbert’s final episode of The Late Show is scheduled to air on Thursday, ending his 11-year run as host on CBS.
The network announced the cancellation in July 2025, citing financial concerns. However, critics, including Elizabeth Warren, have questioned the decision, suggesting it may have been politically motivated after Colbert criticised Paramount over its reported legal settlement with President Donald Trump.
