In a recent episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert addressed the upcoming tariffs on imported goods in a lively and entertaining manner. Colbert kicked off the show by reminding viewers that it was the last day to shop before the tariffs go into effect at midnight. He humorously noted that husbands who were forced to sit on the little chairs in dressing rooms at Nordstrom Rack might be the only ones happy about the situation.
The impact of the tariffs was also felt in the gaming world, as Nintendo delayed the pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 in the United States due to the tariffs imposed by President Trump. Colbert humorously lamented the delay, jokingly asking how he would survive without a new Mario game and suggesting taking mushrooms and jumping on turtles in real life.
The talk then shifted to the wild ride on Wall Street, with the Dow initially soaring by 1,400 points but closing down 320 points by the end of the day. Colbert playfully remarked that the Associated Press had advised people to retire at 10:28 in the morning to avoid the roller coaster of economic fluctuations.
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding negotiations and the conflicting statements from the Trump administration, Colbert highlighted the announcement that a whopping 104% tariff would be imposed on China. He jokingly referred to it as stepping on a rake and falling down a mine shaft, emphasizing the potential impact on expensive items like iPhones, laptops, and unique gas station toys.
Naturally, China wasn’t pleased with this development, with their Ministry of Commerce labeling the US threat to escalate tariffs as a “mistake on top of a mistake.” Colbert even inserted a lighthearted joke, comparing it to Don Jr giving Eric Trump a piggyback ride.
Despite the criticism, Colbert humorously pointed out that the tariffs seemed to be working, as Zimbabwe became the first country to officially cave to Trump’s demands. The host couldn’t resist poking fun at the relatively small GDP of Zimbabwe, playfully calling it a “huge concession” and highlighting its size in comparison to Poughkeepsie, New York.
Colbert then turned his attention to Trump’s team, particularly Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who appeared on CBS to discuss the return of electronics factories to America. Lutnick’s statement that the factories would be automated, with jobs for robots instead of humans, prompted Colbert to humorously remark about being broke while the Roomba affords its kids’ college education.
The Treasury Secretary and the sample body at the mortuary, Steve Mnuchin, also received some comedic attention from Colbert. Mnuchin’s message to Americans worried about their retirement savings was met with humor, with Colbert noting seniors’ obsession with retirement savings and the weather.
Even Elon Musk made an appearance in Colbert’s monologue, as he made a direct appeal to Trump to reverse the tariffs on Tesla parts. Colbert jokingly suggested that Musk’s money’s feelings were hurt due to the tariffs and playfully urged Trump to put down the executive order.
The segment wrapped up with Colbert highlighting Trump’s celebration of the LA Dodgers‘ World Series win at the White House. The host playfully imitated Trump, comparing shaking athletes’ arms to jello to touching politicians’ arms made of steel. Colbert also humorously mentioned that Trump was planning a military parade through DC for his own 79th birthday, jokingly highlighting the prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to a supermax prison and a dinette set made in China.
As always, Colbert’s witty and engaging monologue provided an entertaining take on the recent news, offering a humorous perspective on the impact of tariffs and the unpredictable nature of the current administration.
