President Donald Trump criticized CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King on Monday night, August 4, 2025, asserting that her career was over. This followed reports regarding her uncertain future at CBS.
Trump used his Truth Social platform to react to a New York Post article that suggested King’s position at CBS might be at risk. He claimed that King’s career was finished because she did not continue to support him, stating she lacked courage. Trump concluded by saying King has “no talent, no ratings, no strength.”
Speculation about King’s future at CBS has been fueled by falling ratings for CBS Mornings and the completion of the Skydance-Paramount merger. The New York Post report shared by Trump indicates that CBS is facing a dilemma regarding King’s multimillion-dollar contract, which expires in May 2026.
Sources in the Post article described CBS Mornings as too progressive for its audience, suggesting viewers prefer optimism over what they termed provocative programming. The report cited a recent interview with Bob the Drag Queen as an example of content that allegedly alienates viewers.
Current ratings data show CBS Mornings trailing its competitors significantly. For the week of July 21, the show averaged 1.8 million viewers, down from two million in the same period last year. This places it behind Good Morning America’s 2.63 million viewers and Today’s 2.3 million viewers. In the key 25-54 demographic, CBS Mornings averaged 287,000 viewers, a 20 percent decline from 359,000 the previous year.
Trump’s comments follow his recent celebration of CBS’ decision to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ending in May 2026. Trump has claimed credit for the cancellation, although CBS attributed it to financial reasons. He previously said on Truth Social that he enjoyed Colbert being canceled and suggested other hosts might follow.
The president’s remarks about King contrast his assertion that she once supported him. Their relationship has been contentious, with King often criticizing Trump’s policies. During the 2020 election debates, King questioned Trump’s claim of being the least racist person in the room.
In March 2024, King expressed to CNN her displeasure with Trump’s comments on Black Americans embracing his mugshot, describing his words as insulting to people of color.
King further opposed Trump by speaking at the Democratic National Convention in August 2024, endorsing Kamala Harris as qualified for the presidency. Following Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, King commented on the lack of diversity among attendees.
King, 70, has been with CBS for over a decade after leaving Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network. She remains a significant figure in morning television. CBS representatives did not respond to requests for comment on King’s future or Trump’s statements.
Trump has extended his critique beyond CBS, mentioning other late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon as potential targets. He praised Fox News’ Greg Gutfeld as superior to all network late-night hosts combined.
