The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was filled with fascinating moments in its latest episode. Host Stephen Colbert wasted no time in diving into the hot topics of the day, including an intriguing Supreme Court hearing, Michelle Obama‘s decision to skip the inauguration, and controversial cabinet nominees.
The Supreme Court hearing was definitely a head-turner. PornHub was challenging a Texas law that requires age verification for access to adult content. Colbert humorously highlighted the privacy concerns and data theft risks involved in uploading IDs to view porn. Justice Amy Cony Barrett pointed out that pornography is easily accessible these days, with kids being able to access explicit content through various devices, including calculators. Justice Samuel Alo even revealed his familiarity with PornHub, asking if it’s like the old Playboy magazine with thought-provoking essays.
Moving on to politics, Colbert discussed the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the President of the United States. Amidst the preparations, one notable absence will be Michelle Obama, who has decided to skip the event. The reasons behind her decision are unclear, leaving room for speculation. Colbert humorously suggested that it could be due to an “incurable case of integrity,” referencing Obama’s famous quote, “When they go low, I go high.”
Colbert also couldn’t resist poking fun at Trump’s Inauguration Day Parade, where the garbage truck he used for a campaign photo op will reportedly make an appearance. The irony of a garbage truck being involved in a presidential parade was not lost on the host.
In a surprising move, the CEO of Coca-Cola presented Trump with a commemorative Diet Coke bottle featuring the White House and Trump’s name on the label. Colbert sarcastically commented on the apparent flattery and jokingly declared that he would never drink Diet Coke again if it aligns with an authoritarian administration.
The show also touched on the Senate hearings for Trump’s cabinet nominees. Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, faced questioning about her independence in the role. Colbert cleverly compared the position to being the people’s attorney rather than the president’s personal attorney. He also highlighted Bondi’s track record of defending Trump, spreading election lies, and opposing marriage equality.
The hearing for Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, was filled with controversy as well. Hegseth, a former Fox News host, faced scrutiny for his past statements attacking the military’s attempts to promote diversity. Republicans came to his defense, claiming it was about maintaining standards. However, he stumbled when asked about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their importance. Senator Tammy Duckworth exposed his lack of knowledge, leading to an embarrassing withdrawal of his nomination.
As always, Colbert managed to combine wit and humor with the latest entertainment and political news on The Late Show. With upcoming guests like Adam Scott and treasury secretary Janet Yellen, viewers can expect more hilarity and insightful discussions in the episodes to come.
