CBS parent Paramount insists that this week's decision to cancel Steven Colbert's “Late Show” was strictly financial, and had nothing to do with politics.

Molly McPherson, a reputation and crisis strategist, accurately predicted Astronomer's next moves on TikTok after a recent PR crisis involving it's CEO, Andy Byron, at a Coldplay concert. (Credit: Tik

The network’s stated reason for canceling the show has the sheen of believability. It’s true that the late-night ecosystem is struggling. Still, Colbert’s show has consistently led the ratings for its time slot. CBS and Paramount Global, The Atlantic contended on Thursday, no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt.