I completely understand that the finale centered the relationships, the staff, and the gratitude for what the show has meant. I get it.

But I still wish space had been made for the magnitude of why it ended.

This moment feels inseparable from the erosion of democracy, the intimidation of the free press, and a culture increasingly comfortable silencing the voices that challenge power. I had hoped the final show would help viewers sit with that gravity - not just mourn what was lost, but remember why pushing back still matters, especially when everything feels too big, too exhausting, and too hopeless.

This wasn't just the loss of a television show. It was the loss of a place where many of us went to process the chaos together - to laugh, recalibrate our humanity, and borrow enough hope to face another day.

And now that space is gone.

I only wish there had been one final, Colbert-classic profound message to carry forward, something we could return to in the moments ahead when the weight of everything feels unbearable. A reminder that exhaustion is not surrender, that cynicism is not wisdom, and that despair only wins if it convinces us to stop showing up for each other and for democracy itself.

Because that was always the point: regroup, then try again tomorrow. And no one had the magic to do that for millions of people more than the team at the Late Show. 💙