In a powerful statement of support, Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste has come forward to defend his former boss, Stephen Colbert, following the unexpected cancellation of The Late Show by CBS. Batiste, who served as the band leader for Colbert’s late-night talk show from 2015 to 2022, made it clear that Colbert’s voice, no matter the obstacles, would not be silenced.

Speaking candidly in a recent interview with Rolling Stone Australia/New Zealand, Batiste expressed his unwavering support for Colbert, saying, “I’m very grateful to him, and I think where he goes next, his voice won’t be silenced.” The statement carried a message of hope and defiance, particularly in a time when media landscapes are constantly shifting under the pressure of corporate interests. Batiste continued, emphasizing the resilience of individuals in the face of corporate censorship, “The voice of free speech is challenged, but the soul of an individual cannot be cancelled. He’s gonna find another megaphone, another outlet, I’m sure of it. I’m rooting for him.”

Batiste’s comments come after the unexpected and controversial cancellation of Colbert’s show, a staple of American late-night television for over a decade. CBS, the American network that aired The Late Show, attributed the decision to a “purely financial” reason. However, many, including Colbert himself, have raised doubts about this explanation, pointing instead to deeper, potentially politically motivated factors.

Recently, Colbert publicly criticized CBS over its handling of a controversial 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and the network’s settlement with former President Donald Trump. Colbert’s outspoken critique led to widespread speculation that his cancellation may have been influenced by his political stance, rather than the purely financial reasoning given by the network. This move sparked a wave of support for Colbert from various figures in the entertainment industry, many of whom rallied behind the late-night host and condemned what they perceived as an unjust cancellation.

Among those lending their support was none other than Jon Batiste, who has known Colbert personally for years. Batiste, who led the band Stay Human as the show’s house band, made it clear that what had happened to Colbert was symptomatic of a larger issue: the intersection of big money and the silencing of free speech. “What happened to my friend Stephen is a symptom of big money,” Batiste explained, underscoring his belief that financial interests have too much power over media and the ability of artists and performers to speak freely.

In his passionate defense, Batiste made an important observation about the current state of free speech and its vulnerabilities in the modern media landscape. “We’re in a time where the right price can silence the voice of free speech, which we should be very, very conscious of,” he warned. “As artists, we have to constantly fight for free speech and fight for the ability to be able to share the authentic truth of our being.” Batiste’s words reflect a growing concern among creatives and performers who fear that their voices and the messages they wish to convey may be compromised by the powerful forces of corporate media.

The controversy surrounding Colbert’s cancellation is part of a larger pattern in the entertainment industry, where political influence and financial backing appear to be playing an increasingly significant role in shaping programming decisions. The fact that a late-night talk show host like Colbert, known for his biting political satire and outspoken views, could be removed from his long-running position due to alleged political pressures has raised alarms about the future of media in America.

As more public figures show support for Colbert, the debate over freedom of speech in the entertainment industry continues to grow. Fellow talk show hosts, such as Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Stewart, and David Letterman, have all publicly backed Colbert, expressing their concerns about the increasing political interference in late-night programming. This unity among fellow entertainers highlights the magnitude of the issue, as many worry that the ability to speak freely and hold power to account is becoming more difficult in the face of corporate control.

Adding another layer of tension, former President Donald Trump, whose controversial interview with Kamala Harris sparked Colbert’s public criticism, has issued a warning to both Fallon and Kimmel, suggesting that they could be the next talk show hosts to face the axe. This threat has further fueled concerns that political motivations are dictating which voices are allowed to thrive in the media.

For Batiste, however, Colbert’s cancellation is a moment of reckoning for the entire entertainment industry. As an artist and public figure, Batiste recognizes the crucial role that free speech plays in shaping public discourse and the importance of standing up for the right to express one’s truth, regardless of the financial and political consequences.

Batiste’s unwavering support for Colbert and his broader message about defending free speech should serve as a rallying cry for those who believe in the power of art, entertainment, and public discourse to challenge the status quo. “We have to fight for the authentic truth of our being,” Batiste declared. And with that message, he underscored the crucial need for media and entertainment to remain spaces where individuals, no matter their background or beliefs, can speak truth to power.

As for Colbert, while the cancellation of The Late Show may mark the end of one chapter in his career, it’s clear that his influence and voice are far from gone. Whether he chooses a new platform or reinvents his approach, Colbert’s ability to inspire and provoke thought will undoubtedly continue. With figures like Batiste standing firmly behind him, it’s clear that Colbert’s next move will be watched with great anticipation by fans and critics alike. In the battle for free speech, Colbert’s journey is far from over — and, as Batiste so aptly put it, his voice won’t be silenced.