Last night’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was packed with entertaining moments and interesting discussions. From the Supreme Court case about Colorado kicking Trump off their ballot to the outcome of the investigation into Joe Biden‘s garage documents, there was no shortage of topics to keep the audience engaged.
The case about Colorado’s decision to remove Trump from their ballot is certainly a historic and monumental one. People lined up for seats in the viewing gallery, eager to witness this high-stakes argument. Former Texas solicitor general, Jonathan Mitchell, argued the case for Trump. Known for his tough litigation skills, Mitchell insisted that the Insurrection Clause of the Constitution only applies to those who took an oath to support it. This semantic argument raised some eyebrows, with many dismissing it as simply dumb. After all, presidents swear an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, not just support it. Mitchell’s argument can be likened to saying, “Honey, I know I swore till death do us part, but we never said whose death.”
Another point raised by Trump’s lawyers is that the 14th Amendment states that people who engaged in an Insurrection cannot hold office, but it does not explicitly say they cannot run for office. This argument is met with skepticism, as the whole point of running for office is to eventually hold office. However, it is not uncommon for individuals to be disqualified from running for president if they do not meet certain criteria, such as being a natural-born American citizen and over 35 years old.
Despite these arguments, the smart money is on Trump’s lawyers winning the case. However, the justices seem skeptical that one state, in this case, Colorado, should have the power to decide who becomes the president of the United States. Elena Kagan expressed her concerns about allowing a single state to make such a crucial decision, stating that it sounds awfully national. The idea of a single state deciding the presidency is unsettling, as it sets a dangerous precedent.
Interestingly, the case before the court is called Anderson v. Trump, brought by former Colorado state senator Norma Anderson. Norma, a spry 91-year-old Republican, has a greater loyalty to the Constitution than to any party. She expressed her dedication to keeping the Constitution close at hand, even having one in her purse. While Norma remains uncertain about winning the case, she humorously compared it to shooting craps, saying, “You never know what you’re going to get.”
In another segment of the show, host Stephen Colbert talked about the investigation into Joe Biden‘s garage documents, a topic that has stirred controversy. The report from the special counsel appointed by Merrick Garland reveals that no criminal charges will be brought against President Biden. This news might not bode well for Biden’s election prospects, as polls show that half the country is not willing to vote for an unindicted, non-criminal president.
The special counsel, a former Trump justice department official, also described President Biden as someone with diminished faculties. Although the report does not recommend criminal charges, it suggests that Biden presents himself as a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory. This description sheds light on his campaign signs that read “Biden 2024.”
In other news, a new docu-series on Netflix is causing quite a stir. The series depicts Alexander the Great as potentially having been gay. Historians and dramatic reenactments explore a possible romantic relationship between Alexander and his friend Heson. Of course, sexuality is complex, and a man kissing another man does not automatically mean he is gay. Right-wing critics on Twitter have voiced their outrage at what they perceive as historical inaccuracies. However, historians note that the Greeks did not have a word for homosexuality, leading to a more fluid approach to sexuality in ancient times.
All in all, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert delivered another entertaining and thought-provoking episode. With discussions ranging from Supreme Court cases to presidential investigations and controversial docu-series, viewers were treated to a lively and engaging night of entertainment.
