In a recent episode of the talk show “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” host Stephen Colbert extended his sympathies to the people of Los Angeles as wildfires continue to devastate the area. With over 40,000 acres burned and 150,000 people forced to evacuate, Colbert assured viewers that all of America stands in solidarity with California during this difficult time.
Not only are Americans expressing their support through words, but they are also backing it up with action. More than $50 million has been donated to the wildfire relief efforts on GoFundMe alone. The host urged viewers to contribute to the cause by providing a QR code that leads to a list of charities working on the ground to assist those affected by the tragedy. Colbert also commended Canada and Mexico for sending teams to aid in firefighting efforts, highlighting the international support being extended to California.
However, Colbert didn’t shy away from criticizing Congressional Republicans who are attempting to exploit the situation. These politicians are using the tragedy to push for policy changes and attach strings to California’s federal aid, despite the fact that the state contributes far more to the federal treasury than it receives. The host strongly condemned these actions, emphasizing the need for resilience and the elimination of such detrimental policies in the face of increasing wildfires.
Unsurprisingly, President Donald Trump also took the opportunity to criticize California’s leaders, labeling them incompetent and using the fires as an opportunity to attack the liberal administration’s policies. Colbert highlighted Trump’s lack of empathy and his habit of demeaning governors during crises, drawing parallels to Hurricane Sandy when Barack Obama immediately visited New Jersey to support Governor Chris Christie.
Colbert then shifted gears to address Trump’s controversial proposal to acquire Greenland. The financial times estimated Greenland’s value at $1.1 trillion, but Trump seems to have a different price in mind. Although his son, Donald Trump Jr., visited Greenland and claimed the people expressed a desire to become part of the United States, Danish media reports suggest these encounters were staged with homeless people who were promised a meal in exchange for their participation.
Congressional Republicans were quick to downplay Trump’s plan, with Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma declaring that the United States would not invade another country. Colbert playfully refuted Lankford’s statement by listing numerous instances in history where invasions did occur, humorously making his point.
Continuing his humorous take on recent events, Colbert delved into Trump’s recent sentencing in his New York hush money trial. To the surprise of many, the judge imposed no punishment, granting Trump what is known as an unconditional discharge – a term that amusingly resonates with his personal life.
Wrapping up the episode, Colbert mentioned President Joe Biden‘s cancellation of a trip to Italy to honor Pope Francis due to the California wildfires. Instead, Biden awarded the Pope with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a phone call, marking a historic moment between the 82-year-old President and the 88-year-old Pope. The host couldn’t resist making a lighthearted comparison to Consumer Cellular, a cell phone service known for targeting older individuals.
Lastly, Colbert brought attention to an unusual incident in the world of tennis. American tennis player Francis Tifo managed to vomit on center court during a match at the Australian Open, yet continued playing and even won the match. This bizarre turn of events added an unexpected twist to the tournament.
With all the entertaining and noteworthy moments packed into this episode, viewers were left eagerly anticipating future episodes of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”
