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The Hillary Clinton graphic that never made it to ‘Late Show’ revealed as Stephen Colbert kicks off final week

Nypost · · 412 words · By Zoe Hussain
Corporate Political Influence Late Show Finale Paramount Global Merger
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What to know about Corporate Political Influence

Stephen Colbert kicked off his final week behind the “Late Show” desk with a trip down memory lane, unearthing graphics that never made the cut, including one that declared Hillary Clinton the winner of the 2016 presidential election.

Claims checked 12
Techniques found 1
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center67%
Right33%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Stephen Colbert kicked off his final week behind the “Late Show” desk with a trip down memory lane, unearthing graphics that never made the cut, including one that declared Hillary Clinton the winner of the 2016 presidential election.

Why it matters

In a segment “Graphics Graveyard” — titled after a Slack channel used by “Late Show” staff to dump failed ideas — Colbert debuted the never-before-seen Clinton visual.

Common ground

The graphic declared a smiling Clinton as the “Winner” of the 45th presidential election that Donald Trump ultimately won.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/05/19/media/stephen-colbert-reveals-unaired-late-show-hi…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 12 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 4
check_circle Corroborated 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
schedule Pending 2
verified Verified By Reference 1
info
Claim 1: “Colbert’s nearly 11-year “Late Show” run will come to a close on Thursday, after more than 1,800 episodes on CBS.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence for this specific claim consists of unrelated search results about the name 'Stephen'. However, other evidence (Claim 5/6) confirms the show is ending on Thursday, May 21, but the specific '11-year' and '1,800 episodes' figures are not verified in the provided text.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Many surnames are derived from the first name, including Stephens, Stevens, Stephenson, and Stevenson, all of which mean "Stephen's (son)". In modern times the name has sometimes been given with inten…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 13, 2024 · Stephen was one of the seven men chosen to be responsible over the distribution of food to widows in the early church after a dispute arose and the apostles recognized they needed help.
https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Stephen.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for Stephen (2025) on Rotten Tomatoes. Stay updated with critic and audience scores today!
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stephen_2025
help
Claim 2: “Letterman, who launched “The Late Show” in 1993 and hosted it for more than two decades before Colbert took over in 2015, marched back into the Ed Sullivan Theater on Thursday and blasted the network’s decision to axe the late-night special.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this claim.
schedule
Claim 3: “The pair capped the blistering segment by tossing couches, office chairs, watermelons and a wedding cake off the roof of the landmark Manhattan theater.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
verified
Claim 4: “The other never-aired graphics included a “Thanksgiving porn magazine” called “Giblets” and a cover of “Martha Stewart Living” that read “Donner party or dinner party.””
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
The provided evidence for claim 3 consists of dictionary definitions for 'UNUSED' and unrelated Wikipedia entries; there is no mention of 'Giblets' or the Martha Stewart Living parody.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of episodes for The Daily Show, a late-night talk and satirical news television program airing on Comedy Central, during 2025 (the series' 30th season). Jon Stewart serves as host once …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Daily_Show_episode…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is the list of episodes of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that aired in 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Late_Show_with_Ste…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Stewart Armstrong Copeland (born July 16, 1952) is an American musician and composer who was the drummer of the English rock band the Police (1977–86, 2007–08). Before the Police, he played drums with…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Copeland
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
Claim 5: “Wednesday’s episode will feature unspecified special guests throughout the night and a performance from Bruce Springsteen.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Wednesday's episode includes a performance by Bruce Springsteen.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Springsteen grew up hearing fellow New Jersey singer Frank Sinatra on the radio. By the age of seven, he became interested in being a musician after seeing Elvis Presley's performances on The Ed Sulli…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Springsteen
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Wednesday’s episode will include a performance by Bruce Springsteen and a special edition of “The Colbert Questionert,” a recurring Q&A segment on the show. And Thursday’s finale will be a surprise: n…
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/18/media/stephen-colbert-cbs…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Stephen Colbert Sets Jon Stewart, Bruce Springsteen and More Guests for Final Week of ‘Late Show’.
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZj…
help
Claim 6: “The network has denied that political motivations fueled the choice, maintaining that the move was purely financial over the show’s reported $40 million annual loss.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this claim.
info
Claim 7: “In a segment “Graphics Graveyard” — titled after a Slack channel used by “Late Show” staff to dump failed ideas — Colbert debuted the never-before-seen Clinton visual.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for claim 1 consists only of dictionary definitions for the word 'LATE' and does not mention 'Graphics Graveyard' or a Slack channel.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 5 days ago · The meaning of LATE is coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time. How to use late in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Late.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/late
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — LATE definition: 1. (happening or being) near the end of a period of time: 2. (happening or arriving) after the…. Learn more.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/late
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Define late. late synonyms, late pronunciation, late translation, English dictionary definition of late. adj. lat·er , lat·est 1. a. Coming, occurring, continuing ...
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/late
schedule
Claim 8: “Trump celebrated Colbert’s cancellation on Truth Social, writing that he “absolutely love[d] that Colbert got fired” while claiming the comedian had less “talent” than his ratings.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 9: “CBS’s decision to end “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” sparked uproar in the entertainment community and led to claims that Paramount Global was trying to appease Trump while finalizing its merger with Skydance Media.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of insurance claim websites (State Farm, Liberty Mutual, Farmers) and contains no information regarding Paramount Global, Skydance Media, or the cancellation of the show.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Should I file my claim online, with your app, or by phone? Be in control — check the status of your claim, upload photos and other documents, set up direct-deposit, communicate with your Claims team, …
https://www.statefarm.com/claims
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Easily file and manage claims online with the Liberty Mutual Claims Center. Track progress and get support 24/7.
https://www.libertymutual.com/claims-center
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Things like your driving record, at-fault accidents, home claims history and where you live may be taken into consideration. Talk to your Farmers agent if you have questions about your premium.
https://www.farmers.com/claims/
check_circle
Claim 10: “Tuesday’s episode will feature “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart, filmmaker Steven Spielberg and a special performance by Talking Heads frontman David Byrne and Colbert.”
CORROBORATED
Three independent web search results confirm that Tuesday's episode features Jon Stewart, Steven Spielberg, and a performance by David Byrne and Stephen Colbert.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Tuesday’s episode will feature two A-list stars, Jon Stewart and Steven Spielberg, plus a “special performance by David Byrne and Stephen Colbert.”
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/18/media/stephen-colbert-cbs…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' will air its final episode on Thursday, May 21.The host, 61, will welcome guests Jon Stewart and Steven Spielberg during his last week of The Late Show with Stephe…
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/stephen-colb…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Stephen Colbert’s Final Week ‘Late Show’ Guests: Springsteen, Jon Stewart, David Byrne. Steven Spielberg and other "special guests" also on tap for the late-night series' last four episodes. By Daniel…
https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/stephen…
info
Claim 11: “Stephen Colbert kicked off his final week behind the “Late Show” desk with a trip down memory lane, unearthing graphics that never made the cut, including one that declared Hillary Clinton the winner of the 2016 presidential election.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While web search results confirm that Stephen Colbert had a segment featuring unused graphics and sketches during his final week (specifically the May 18, 2026 show), the specific detail about a graphic declaring Hillary Clinton the winner of the 2016 election is not explicitly mentioned in the provided evidence snippets, though the general event is corroborated.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Reverend Sir Dr. Stephen T. Mos Def Colbert D.F.A., Heavyweight Champion of the World* is the fictionalized persona of political satirist Stephen Colbert, as portrayed on the Comedy Central series…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert_(character)
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is an American late-night news talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert, which premiered on September 8, 2015. The show is the second and final iteration of CBS' Late Sho…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Late_Show_with_Stephen_Col…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — What Happened is a 2017 memoir by Hillary Clinton about her experiences as the Democratic Party's nominee and general election candidate for president of the United States in the 2016 election. Publis…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Happened_(Clinton_book)
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
Claim 12: “Other failed graphics, sketches and old gags that were never deemed fit for the small screen were revealed on Monday night’s episode — aptly named “The Worst of the Late Show With Stephen Colbert.””
CORROBORATED
Two independent web search results confirm that the Monday episode was titled 'The Worst of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert' and featured segments, sketches, and graphics that never made it to air.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host,…
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMtFAi84ehTSYSE9XoHefig
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Late Show with Stephen Colbert during Monday’s May 18, 2026 show.With only a few episodes left behind the desk of “The Late Show,” Stephen Colbert dedicated Monday’s show to the segments, sketches…
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/stephen-colbert-nsfw-sketch…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Monday’s episode will be “the worst of ‘The Late Show’ with Stephen Colbert,” according to the CBS press release, which notes that it is “not a clip show,” meaning Colbert has some new material in sto…
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/18/media/stephen-colbert-cbs…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.