In a bittersweet farewell, Joe Biden bid adieu to the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, marking the end of an era as the Biden administration concludes its term. Amidst the applause and laughter, Colbert humorously acknowledged the transition of power, humorously remarking, “The next time you all see me, Donald Trump will be president, and you may not see me for the next four years.” With his signature wit and charm, Colbert thanked Biden for his efforts and reflected on the journey.
Yet, amidst the lighthearted banter, Biden took a moment to address a serious concern, drawing parallels to Eisenhower’s farewell address. He warned about the growing threat of the tech industrial complex, referring to them as internet billionaires. Biden expressed his concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of a few ultra-wealthy individuals and the dangerous consequences that result if their abuse of power goes unchecked. His wisdom and insight may have been delivered in a soft tone, but the message resonated strongly.
Biden also highlighted the issue of misinformation and disinformation, with social media platforms being a breeding ground for lies that are told for power and profit. He emphasized the need for fact-checking and ensuring that the truth is not smothered. The parallels to a dark time in American history, often called the guilded age, were evident. Biden painted a picture of an emerging oligarchy, a concept that should worry us all.
However, the irony of the situation was not lost on Colbert, who playfully mentioned how the three richest men in history, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg, would be attending the inauguration, seated with Trump’s cabinet nominees and elected officials. Colbert couldn’t help but express his disbelief at the image of these incredibly wealthy individuals amidst the ceremony, making a lighthearted plea for a diverse guest list that includes Denzel Washington or even Paul Mescal’s dusty butt.
The talk show host party continued with a witty observation about Amazon’s support for Trump and Zuckerberg hosting a party for the inauguration. Colbert playfully questioned his loyalty to Amazon, jokingly threatening to reconsider same-day shipping if they continue to align themselves with the oligarchy. The hilarity continued as Colbert strayed into the realm of official presidential and vice-presidential portraits, poking fun at their appearances and ending with a chilling remark about Trump’s portrait.
Another highlight of the talk show was the Senate confirmation hearings for Trump’s nominees, particularly Tulsi Gabbard, who was chosen as the Director of National Intelligence. Colbert took a satirical stance on her nomination, highlighting her tendency to repeat Kremlin talking points and inability to articulate the job responsibilities. He humorously suggested she could become the first improv intelligence director, improvising her way through complex international issues.
Lastly, Colbert touched on Biden’s promotion of new front-of-pack food nutrition labels, aiming to rank the contents of sugar, fat, and salt. While the intention is noble, Colbert playfully suggested that a stronger deterrent than labels may be necessary to prevent people from indulging in junk food. Cue his hilarious demonstration with speakers that scream at individuals as they reach for unhealthy snacks.
In conclusion, this episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert highlighted the humor and wit of both Colbert and Biden. It touched on serious topics like the concentration of power among the ultra-wealthy, the spread of misinformation, and the challenges of governing in a tech-dominated world. With engaging banter and witty commentary, Colbert made the serious issues entertaining and thought-provoking, leaving viewers both amused and concerned about the state of affairs.
