Welcome one and all to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where the craziness of Donald Trump‘s second term continues to unfold. Day by day, it gets even more mind-boggling, with his shocking statements and actions blurring the line between atrocity and distraction. Recently, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and during a joint press conference, he made an outrageous announcement: the US will take over the Gaza Strip. Yes, you heard it right. Trump wants to own Gaza, turning it into a luxury real estate development that he believes could be the Riviera of the Middle East.
But what about the Palestinians who currently live there? Trump’s answer is disturbingly devoid of humanity. When asked how many Palestinians would have to be displaced for his development, he casually replied, “All of them.” He even suggested forcibly relocating almost 2 million people, half of whom are children. The moral implications of such a plan are staggering, and it begs the question of how many of our moral principles would America have to violate to support Trump’s vision.
If your head is spinning from this revelation, you’re not alone. Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie WS, had a similar reaction when she realized the gravity of what Trump was proposing. It’s the face of someone hoping to escape the impending consequences or possibly face charges in the future.
While the world grapples with this outrageous plan, Trump is also busy purging the United States government of anyone who doesn’t align with his administration. Last week, an email was sent to federal workers offering them a buyout if they resigned, titled “Fork in the Road.” Initially, the email excluded intelligence workers, but even the CIA wasn’t spared, as they recently sent a buyout offer to their entire workforce. The fear is that Trump’s administration is systematically dismantling crucial government agencies like the CIA and FBI, leaving the nation vulnerable.
Speaking of the FBI, they recently turned over details of 5,000 employees who worked on January 6 cases, prompting concerns that they could also be terminated by the Trump administration. With all the firings and purges happening, it seems like the only federal agents left may be the ones featured on CBS’s FBI shows.
As if that wasn’t enough chaos, Donald Trump Jr. has found himself in hot water yet again. He has been accused of killing a protected duck while on a hunt in Italy. The species in question is the Ruddy Shelduck, an endangered bird with beautiful plumage. And to make matters worse, Don Jr. confessed to the act on video. It’s a story that might seem trivial compared to everything else happening, but it serves as a reminder of the hubris and disregard for nature that some individuals exhibit.
Amidst all the Trump-related insanity, there are a couple of smaller news items worth mentioning. Firstly, the temperature at the North Pole is a staggering 20°C above average, well beyond the melting point of ice. This alarming fact should be receiving more attention than it currently is. Secondly, Uncle O’Grimacy has made a long-awaited return to McDonald’s. For those unfamiliar, Uncle O’Grimacy is a character introduced in 1978, who disappeared for decades after the IRA targeted McDonald’s marketing team. But now, Uncle O’Grimacy is back to promote his signature drink, the Shamrock Shake.
While Uncle O’Grimacy’s return may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, it serves as a momentary reprieve, reminding us that life goes on amidst all the turmoil. However, the threats to our democracy and the dismantling of crucial government agencies like the CIA and FBI cannot be ignored. We must remain vigilant and focused on what truly matters.
As Stephen Colbert concludes his monologue and prepares to welcome Damon Wayans Jr. and Chef Danielle Balloon to the show, we are reminded that amidst the chaos, we can still find moments of humor and light-heartedness. Let’s brace ourselves for whatever craziness the world throws our way next and continue to seek entertainment and diversion in shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
But first, Stephen and his wife, Evie, have some spicy first drafts of Valentine’s Day cards to share. Stay tuned for a fun-filled evening of laughter and entertainment.
