Stephen Colbert on Trump: ‘Current Crimes Distract from Past Chaos’ | Late-Night Recap
Late-night television hosts have responded to a tumultuous year marked by Donald Trump’s second term as president of the United States. On January 20, Stephen Colbert highlighted the overwhelming nature of Trump’s presidency and his impact on public attention.
Colbert’s Observations on Trump’s Presidency
During his monologue, Colbert stated, “Trump has monopolized our attention every second of every minute of every hour of every day.” He remarked that this distraction overshadowed significant dates, such as Penguin Awareness Day.
Colbert summarized an array of controversial events that transpired in the past year, including:
- Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
- Hosting a monumental military parade on his birthday.
- Proposing Canada as the 51st state.
- Signing an executive order that ended birthright citizenship.
- Demolishing part of the White House to construct a ballroom.
- Covering the remaining structure with extravagant decor.
- Forcing Paramount to produce Rush Hour 4.
- Taking the chair of the Kennedy Center board and renaming it to the Trump Kennedy Center.
- Pocketing over $1.4 billion.
Colbert underscored the continuous stream of troubling headlines that draw attention away from Trump’s ongoing issues. He sarcastically remarked on the exhaustion surrounding the current climate, suggesting that even Trump appears fatigued from his actions.
Kimmel’s Critique of Trump’s Actions
Jimmy Kimmel also took to the late-night stage, delivering a sharp commentary on Trump’s latest antics, especially following Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He quipped about the irony of how people celebrated the holiday by skiing, humorously stating, “What a weekend for Trump,” as he noted Trump’s unique ability to cause controversy quickly.
Among Kimmel’s highlights was Trump’s alleged anger over being overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize, suggesting he might declare war against Scandinavia. Kimmel questioned Trump’s text message sent to Norway’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, expressing discontent at not receiving the award.
Meyers on Trump’s Promises
Seth Meyers addressed the anniversary of Trump’s second inauguration and commented on a recently released video. In the clip, Trump claimed his “great healthcare plan” would slash drug prices by up to 500%—a claim Meyers deemed nonsensical, as he said, “100% is the most you can lower a price.”
Meyers also mentioned the upcoming Winter Olympics, joking about the attendance of Vice President JD Vance and First Lady Melania Trump. He humorously noted the irony of Melania’s participation after years of being perceived as silent.
Conclusion
As these late-night hosts continue to scrutinize Trump’s presidency, they highlight the chaos and absurdity of his actions. Their commentary not only reflects the current political climate but also serves to entertain and engage audiences during turbulent times.
