In a fiery retort that blended humour with pointed criticism, Stephen Colbert, the host of CBS's 'Late Show,' directly addressed a series of social media attacks from former President Donald Trump. The comedic counterpunch, delivered during his Tuesday night monologue, notably focused on television ratings—a favourite metric of Trump's—turning the critique back on its source.
A Presidential Feud Over Viewership
The exchange was ignited by Trump, who in a Christmas Eve post described Colbert as having "no talent" and "nonexistent ratings." Colbert responded by highlighting the audience numbers for a recent CBS broadcast that featured Trump. The December telecast of the 'Kennedy Center Honors,' which Trump hosted, attracted an average of just 3.01 million viewers, marking an all-time low for the prestigious event.
"Nobody saw that coming," Colbert quipped to his studio audience. After a theatrical pause, he corrected himself: "I’m sorry, I read that wrong. Nobody saw that." He continued, feigning reluctance, "Now it is beneath me to gloat, but if it weren’t beneath me, I’d call him, 'No talent, low-rated Donald Trump.'" The line was met with thunderous applause and chants of "Stephen" from the crowd.
Context of the 'Late Show' Cancellation
The monologue carried added weight given the impending end of Colbert's program. CBS shocked the entertainment industry by announcing the cancellation of 'The Late Show,' set for May. The decision was widely interpreted as the network yielding to political pressure, as its parent company, Paramount, sought regulatory approval from the Trump administration for a merger with Skydance Media. CBS has consistently maintained that the move was "purely a financial decision."
Colbert, a frequent and vocal critic of Trump, used his platform to underscore the irony of the situation, blending personal defence with professional commentary on the media landscape.
Colbert's Historical Ratings Comparison
To further solidify his point, Colbert drew a direct comparison with his own experience hosting the Kennedy Center Honors. Playing the role of a magnanimous veteran, he wondered if people should cut Trump some slack for his first time hosting the event.
"As a former Kennedy Center host myself, I know it can take a while to build an audience. What were my ratings my first year?" Colbert asked. A graphic then revealed that his inaugural hosting of the ceremony in 2014 drew 9.25 million viewers—more than triple Trump's recent audience.
"Three times as many? And I didn’t even name the building after myself!" he joked, delivering a final, signature punchline that referenced Trump's penchant for attaching his name to properties. The segment showcased Colbert's trademark style of combining current events, political satire, and self-referential humour, even as his show approaches its final curtain.
