'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's final Emmy nominations

I'm returning to awards show coverage with the final Emmy nominations for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I begin by sharing For Your Emmy Consideration: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which might be the last video ever uploaded to the show's YouTube account.

A look back at some of the best moments from the final season of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!

That was fun and I already miss Stephen. My monologue posts are not the same without him.

Follow over the jump for the show's final Emmy nominations.

Stewart, Meyers, and Kimmel take closer looks at Freedom 250 concert falling apart and other news

I concluded John Oliver examines Trump's pardons on 'Last Week Tonight' by asking my readers, "Stay tuned for another topical post tomorrow. Talk show hosts, minus the recently canceled Stephen Colbert, anyone?" Not reading a no, that's what I'm doing, beginning with Trump Can’t Negotiate for S**t, and the Iran Peace Talks Prove It | The Daily Show.

Trump claims a peace deal with Iran is coming any second, but he's been saying that for months. Jon Stewart takes a look at Trump's unimpressive track record as a negotiator, despite being the self-proclaimed best negotiator in the world, and pulls back the curtain on the president's "Art of the Deal" as merely the art of trolling. Plus, the Freedom 250 concert is falling apart as more and more headliners pull out, and TDS News Team alum Olivia Munn stops by to offer Jon Stewart a heartfelt tribute that was definitely not meant for Stephen Colbert.

The first of Kimmel's video descriptions in said "they’re also lining up entertainment for the “Great American State Fair” and the lineup is shaping up to be a real dud," but it's even more of a dud now that acts are pulling out. I'm surprised by Bret Michaels pulling out, as he was a winner on Celebrity Apprentice. Nope, that wasn't enough. On the other hand, Vanilla Ice staying is on brand. I'm not sure what to make of Freedom Williams other than he just wants to perform and doesn't care who for. Oh, and the agent being Jeff Epstein, but not that Jeffrey Epstein — HA! You can't make this stuff up!

Speaking of making stuff up, Donald "Pervert Hoover" Trump repeatedly asserting that the U.S. and Iran are close to making a deal is an example of, among other things, his belief in the power of positive thinking, which I wrote about in CBS canceling 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is enough to drive one to drink on National Daiquiri Day and repeated in 'SNL' examines Tom Homan replacing Greg Bovino in its cold open and Weekend Update.

The problem is that Hoover Cleveland was a follower of Norman Vincent Peale, who wrote The Power of Positive Thinking. Politico expanded on this.

Donald Trump is a self-help apostle. He always has tried to create his own reality by saying what he wants to be true. Where many see failure, Trump sees only success, and expresses it out loud, again and again.

His wish might just come true. This works on the social environment, but not the physical and biological environment; it failed to work on the virus during the pandemic. He couldn't bully a virus.

He's also finding out that he can't bully the Iranians and he doesn't know what to do about it except keep hoping for a good outcome.

Colbert being cancelled is not a good outcome, but at least The Daily Show's audience was treated to the funniest thing I've seen Olivia Munn do in response to it (no, I never watched her when she was a correspondent, and her SAG nominations announcement comes close). I guess her new husband Jon Mulaney is rubbing off on her, pun intended.

It wouldn't be a closer look without Seth Meyers, so here is Trump’s Online Meltdown After Jan. 6 Slush Fund Blocked, Artists Bail on Freedom 250: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at Trump lashing out with social media posts including attacks on judges, political rivals and the pope.

Yes, it's bad when the surviving member of Milli Vanilli quits. I guess Pervert Hoover didn't know or care that they were fakes. After all, his pardons make him look like he's O.K. with (some) fraudsters.

As for the January 6th "Anti-weaponization" fund being blocked, yay! That's good news right up there with Kennedy Center will remain open and have Trump's name removed.

I close with Jimmy Kimmel's monologue, Trump's Concert Turns Into Total Disaster, He Brags About Health Exam & Spencer Pratt's Mayoral Ads.

Today is the first day of June and our nation's newscasters can’t believe it, almost every artist who was announced for Trump’s Great American State Fair has dropped out or said they never agreed to be part of it, a federal judge ruled that Trump’s name had to be removed from The Kennedy Center, Trump granted his daughter-in-law Lara an interview that included a tour of the construction site/UFC arena he’s living in right now, he is still very proud of the word “Dumocrat” that he made up, he took some time to brag about his “extremely good” health report, the primary elections here in California are tomorrow and while Spencer Pratt is a ridiculous choice for Mayor of LA, you have to admit - he makes some pretty good ads!

I don't recall hearing people saying "June" that much on The Handmaid's Tale and it's the lead character's name!

As for Pervert Hoover bragging about acing a cognitive test, again, it isn't the flex he thinks it is. Both Seth and Jimmy pointed out that it's a sign that his behavior is concerning his doctors. It's also not an IQ test, even if Pervert Hoover thinks it is.

Today's primary election in California looks interesting. If this blog hadn't passed its page view goals for June early this morning, I would have covered them for a topical post tomorrow. Instead, I'll wait until I start writing about the general election, which won't be until August.

On the topic of topical posts, the next time I write one of a summary of monologues should be Tuesday, June 30th, so I can share it in July. I have a couple of social media shares of posts featuring late-night talk show hosts I haven't included in a retrospective, so follow over the jump for those.

Stewart and Colbert examine No Kings and Iran War

I return to more topical and timely posting today by sharing two monologues, beginning with Jon Stewart's No Kings Rallies Can’t Stop CPAC's Trump Glazing & Iran War Hits One Month | The Daily Show.

Happy one-monthiversary of the Iran war! With the Strait of Hormuz still closed, Jon Stewart examines how global shortages are hitting everything from grain to helium to pickleballs. Meanwhile, Americans flood the streets for the No Kings protests while CPAC throws Trump his own Yassss Kings rally. Plus, the U.S. finally has a detailed explanation of the president's objectives and exit strategy... for the White House ballroom.

As much as the war coverage's angle annoys Stewart, I understand why the U.S. news media is framing the economic disruption of the war through loss of luxuries. As I repeated most recently in Silly and serious closer looks at Trump taking over the Kennedy Center, "the surest way to get Americans to act is to mess with their entertainm­ent. As I first wrote in 2011, 'America is quite clear about its screwed up priorities­.'" While Stewart and Colbert are turning the war into comedy, disruptions to supply chains will deprive many of their treats. They won't like that but it will get Americans' attention.

Trump switching from the Iran War to the East Wing ballroom reminds me of what I wrote in Closer looks at Iran from Stewart, Colbert, Meyers, and Kimmel.

"I don't get bored." Oh, then why is he talking about ballrooms and drapes? Because he's been doing that since Surviving at the Top, the sequel to The Art of the Deal.

In a Yahoo News essay, Leerhsen describes the Trump he worked with from 1988 to 1990 as mostly "bored out of his mind," a "failing real estate developer who had little idea of what he was doing and less interest in doing it once he'd held the all-important press conference."

Trump was making huge, outrageously leveraged, financially ruinous deals, but day-to-day, he spent "surprisingly large" amounts of time "looking at fabric swatches," Leerhsen writes. "Indeed, flipping through fabric swatches seemed at times to be his main occupation," and "some days he would do it for hours," probably because fabric swatches "were within his comfort zone — whereas, for example, the management of hotels and airlines clearly wasn't."

Leerhsen elaborated Thursday evening on CNN. "At this time, like, things were really going to hell in his business," but "in the center of that was this quiet office where he was going through fabric swatches most of the day, and in the middle of all this Sturm und Drang, he was oblivious to it," he told Erin Burnett.

Nearly 40 years later, he hasn't changed, except to get older and more set in his ways

.Now we know he's like that with pens.

Stephen Colbert made light of the same subjects last night in Millions March Against Trump’s War & Deportations | Trump's Improv War | Global Helium Crisis.

Over eight million people marched in the third "No Kings" protest, President Trump appears to be making up his Iran war strategy on-the-fly, and the war is causing global economic pain and shortages of resources like helium.

I attended the local No Kings and I'm glad to have been part of the largest protest since the first Earth Day — eight million people! Here's to the next one having ten million.

The contradictory announcements for the war remind me of something else I wrote early this month.

Twenty-five years ago, one of my reactions to 9-11 was to look at Bush the Younger's administration and be reassured that at least these people, particularly Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and Colin Powell, knew how to fight a war, no matter what my other opinions were of them. It took me two years, after it became obvious they were botching the occupation of Iraq, to figure out that they didn't really have a plan for an occupied Iraq beyond shock doctrine. I have no such illusions about Donald "Hoover Harding Cleveland" Trump and Pete Hegseth; it's obvious from the get-go that they don't have a plan at all beyond being so intimidating that Iran just backs down. That's not happening. Once again, the voices Trump listens to, both inside and outside his head, are not reliable sources.

What about the ballroom? That's right here in Trump Reveals New Ballroom Photos.

President Trump reacted quickly after The New York Times criticized the architectural plans for his White House ballroom.

HA! I wish it would have those features!

That's a wrap for today's post and March's blogging. Stay tuned for April Fools Day!

Closer looks at Iran from Stewart, Colbert, Meyers, and Kimmel

It's the first Tuesday of the month, so it's time for closer looks at the weekend's news, beginning with Jon Stewart of the The Daily Show reporting Trump Launches War with Iran and Refuses to Explain... Anything.

Jon Stewart dives into America and Israel’s impromptu attack on Iran, Trump’s laid-back war announcement from the Mar-a-Lago basement, and MAGA’s refusal to sell the American people on the plan, purpose, and duration of the war. Plus, Jordan Klepper reveals America’s calculated war strategy: winging it.

Twenty-five years ago, one of my reactions to 9-11 was to look at Bush the Younger's administration and be reassured that at least these people, particularly Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and Colin Powell, knew how to fight a war, no matter what my other opinions were of them. It took me two years, after it became obvious they were botching the occupation of Iraq, to figure out that they didn't really have a plan for an occupied Iraq beyond shock doctrine. I have no such illusions about Donald "Hoover Harding Cleveland" Trump and Pete Hegseth; it's obvious from the get-go that they don't have a plan at all beyond being so intimidating that Iran just backs down. That's not happening. Once again, the voices Trump listens to, both inside and outside his head, are not reliable sources. Speaking of unreliable sources, watching all these people, particularly Tulsi Gabbard, praise Hoover Harding Cleveland for being the "peace candidate" has aged really poorly.

Next, Stephen Colbert's monologue, America At Whaaa? | Seeking Regime Change | Hegseth: No "Stupid" Rules Of Engagement.

President Trump still hasn't told the American people why he's bombing Iran, the U.S. and Israel have sent mixed messages about whether the goal is regime change, and Secretary Hegseth boasted that the military will disregard customary rules of engagement during this campaign.

Stephen is right; Bush the Younger did sell the Iraq War to the American people and the world and got an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) the year before we invaded. Hoover Harding Cleveland didn't bother. Democracy? Representative government? Rule of law? Who cares? Not Hoover Harding Cleveland!

Not only does Hoover Harding Cleveland have neither a plan (maybe Benjamin Netanyahu does) nor respect for process, he can't even decide on a pretext. I suspect all of his excuses are equally valid or invalid to him. He'd be more honest if he said "I felt like it." That's an emotion, not a reason, but at least he and I would believe it.

It wouldn't be a closer look without Seth Meyers, so I'm sharing Trump’s Iran War Plan and Timeline Keep Changing, Trump Gets Distracted by Drapes: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at the Trump administration launching a war with Iran without any clear strategy for how it would end, how long it would last or who would take over.

"I don't get bored." Oh, then why is he talking about ballrooms and drapes? Because he's been doing that since Surviving at the Top, the sequel to The Art of the Deal.

In a Yahoo News essay, Leerhsen describes the Trump he worked with from 1988 to 1990 as mostly "bored out of his mind," a "failing real estate developer who had little idea of what he was doing and less interest in doing it once he'd held the all-important press conference."

Trump was making huge, outrageously leveraged, financially ruinous deals, but day-to-day, he spent "surprisingly large" amounts of time "looking at fabric swatches," Leerhsen writes. "Indeed, flipping through fabric swatches seemed at times to be his main occupation," and "some days he would do it for hours," probably because fabric swatches "were within his comfort zone — whereas, for example, the management of hotels and airlines clearly wasn't."

Leerhsen elaborated Thursday evening on CNN. "At this time, like, things were really going to hell in his business," but "in the center of that was this quiet office where he was going through fabric swatches most of the day, and in the middle of all this Sturm und Drang, he was oblivious to it," he told Erin Burnett.

Nearly 40 years later, he hasn't changed, except to get older and more set in his ways.

Jimmy Kimmel had time for more stories than just Iran in Trump Goes to War with Iran, Bill Clinton Testifies About Epstein & Boebert Explains Inflation.

Early Saturday morning just after midnight the Pentagon launched “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran, Trump monitored the attack from his bunker at Mar-a-Lago, he claims that the operation in Iran could last four to five weeks or longer, six Americans were killed in the counter-attacks, even Ted Cruz said that he saw “no indication” that Iran was close to getting nuclear weapons, we all thought he was supposed to be the President of Peace, Trump is all of a sudden about toppling regimes even though he thought not being able to make a deal was seen as a negative, he rambled about drapes during a Medal of Honor ceremony, Melania was in New York to preside over a meeting of the UN Security Council, former President Bill Clinton testified for more than six hours about Jeffrey Epstein, and Lauren Boebert explains inflation.

In addition to not having a serious plan, Hoover Harding Cleveland and his maladministration have terrible opsec. That's nothing new.

I made enough fun of the First Lady in Randy Rainbow sings 'The Fate of Melania' and other parodies, so I'll move on to Lauren Boebert. She caused trouble with the Clinton depositions and couldn't define inflation. As Jimmy K pointed out, she never graduated high school and doesn't follow the rules. She should be happy there are worse Republican politicians, otherwise, I'd make a label for her. Maybe I should anyway.

I close with The Late Show with Stephen Colbert's cold open from last night, Book Your Next Event At Mar-a-Lago.

Whether you're launching Benjamin into manhood or missiles into the Middle East, Mar-a-Lago has all the amenities!

Marjorie Merriweather Post, who build Mar-A-Lago, wanted it to be the Winter White House. That eventually happened, but I wonder if Post would be happy about how that came true and what Hoover Harding Cleveland uses it for. Maybe not, but I'm not holding a seance to find out.

That's a wrap for this post, but not for today. Stay tuned for two more holidays, Marching Music Day, which I remembered, and World Wildlife Day, which YouTube reminded me earlier today. Another bonus post!

Stewart, Colbert, Kimmel, and Meyers take closer looks at Trump and others in the Epstein files

I told my readers, "Stay tuned for more closer looks from the late night talk show hosts" today, so I begin with Jon Stewart at The Daily Show's DOJ Protects Trump From Epstein Accountability as MAGA Attacks "Sanctuary Cities".

Trump declares himself "absolved" by the latest release of Epstein files, while Elon Musk’s Christmas wish for a trip to the sex island is put on blast, and Jon Stewart finds himself on Epstein’s list… for documentary voiceovers. Plus, as MAGA continues to shield the president from all accountability, Jon Stewart shines a light on the double standard of sanctuary given to Trump vs. immigrants.

Yes, releasing these files in installments really does seem like Groundhog Day. Things repeat and they don't seem to change. Sigh. At least we got a funny, if puerile, image out of it and some schadenfreude out of Stewart making a cameo in the files. Hey, at least it wasn't his doing.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert opened with more Groundhog Day jokes — the holiday, not the movie — in Trump Is All Over The Epstein Files | DOJ Exposes Epstein Victims | Trump Admin Won't Investigate.

President Trump is referenced thousands of times and accused of hideous crimes in the latest release of documents from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, the Department of Justice failed to redact the identities and personal information of many of Epstein's victims, and the DOJ announced that there will be no investigation into any of the prominent men implicated in the files.

Like Stewart, Stephen also mentioned Elon Musk emailing Epstein on Christmas morning — top of the next year's naughty list, indeed! Too bad Todd Blanche, who I haven't mentioned here before, declared there is no one new who could be prosecuted. No one Blanche, Pam Bondi, or Donald "Hoover Harding Cleveland" Trump is willing to prosecute, that is. Again, sigh.

Jimmy Kimmel opened with Groundhog Day jokes as well in Trump’s All Over the Epstein Files, Attacks Jimmy Kimmel After the Grammys & Don Lemon Gets Arrested.

Today is Groundhog Day, the ironically-titled Department of Justice released about half of the Epstein files, there were many disturbing accounts about a lot of famous people including Bill Gates, Steve Bannon, Richard Branson, and Elon Musk is in there too - more than a thousand times, Donald Trump’s name was mentioned 4,896 times, Trump’s Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick’s name pops up 138 times, there appears to be an email to Ghislaine Maxwell from Melania, Trump had the audacity to play the old “Jeffrey who?” card pretending they weren’t actually friends, Trump went after Jimmy in a late night Truth Social post criticizing Trevor Noah who hosted the Grammys, Trump is suing the IRS for $10 Billion, he also announced that he's closing The Trump Kennedy Center for renovations, Melania the movie made $7 million over the weekend, and journalist Don Lemon was arrested on Thursday night for covering an anti-ICE protest at a church in St. Paul.

I can understand Jimmy K's kids not believing Groundhog Day is a thing; they're growing up, like me, in southern California. Winter is not the oppressive presence there that it is here in Michigan or much of the rest of the Midwest and Northeast; in fact, it's relatively pleasant. It's not too hot and the hills are green. Only after I moved here did I understand the appeal of the day.

Thanks to Jimmy K and the Epstein files, Howard Lutnick makes an appearance in my blog for the first time. Since he's both Commerce Secretary and Epstein's former next-door neighbor, I'm sure it won't be the last.

It wouldn't be a closer look post without Seth Meyers, so here's Musk's Emails to Epstein Revealed; Trump Sues IRS for $10 Billion, Rakes in UAE Money: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at Trump and his family getting a large investment from an Abu Dhabi royal for their private crypto company as he's named in the new Epstein files along with many other wealthy and powerful people.

While Melania had a record opening for a documentary, I'm sure it won't save it from a Razzie nomination or two. Being the highest grossing documentary of 2016 didn't save Hillary's America from winning four Razzies. Here's to hoping that history rhymes.

In closing, I return to The Late Show for Trump Is All Over The Epstein Files, just to drive home the point of today's post.

President Trump's name is mentioned over 1,000 times in the latest release of documents from the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

*Snork!*

That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned for something topical tomorrow.

Stewart, Colbert, Meyers, and Kimmel take closer looks at Venezuela

I telegraphed today's topic yesterday: "I expect Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Kimmel will return tonight. If they do, I'm sure they'll have plenty of things to say about what Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump, Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, and the rest of Hoover Cleveland's maladministration are doing to and about Venezuela." They did, starting with Trump Kidnaps President Maduro, Targets Venezuelan Oil & Ditches "America First" | The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart dives into the Trump administration’s abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump's collusion with oil companies to exploit Venezuela’s resources, and the emergence of the “Donroe Doctrine" as Trump threatens more international takeovers.

Calling Hegseth "Homelander" is an insult to the role that won Antony Starr both Best Actor in a Superhero Series and Best Villain in a Series. Homelander is more competent. As for calling the justification for the raid on Venezuela "the Donroe Doctrine," that was mockery that Hoover Cleveland thought was catchy, which reminds me of a post of mine on Bluesky.

It also reads like how the U.S. Right appropriated American Exceptionalism because it sounded cool while completely misunderstanding it.

[image or embed]

— Vince Lamb (@vincelamb.bsky.social) January 3, 2026 at 10:55 PM

While I'm on it, here's another.

This looks like a stupid version of Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia from "1984." Yet another example of Republicans learning the wrong lessons fom Orwell.

[image or embed]

— Vince Lamb (@vincelamb.bsky.social) January 3, 2026 at 10:46 PM

Stephen had more to say when he asked Did Maduro's Dancing Prompt Trump To Attack Venezuela? | No Regime Change | Another War For Oil.

President Trump may have decided to snatch Venezuela's leader after being enraged by Nicholás Maduro's defiant public dancing, Maduro's VP is currently running the country, and there's no question that the U.S. is seeking to control Venezuela's oil riches.

Like Stephen, I'm old enough to remember the previous times events like these happened. I agree with his sentiment: "Now, invading a country with a mustachioed dictator and saying, 'Don't worry, their oil will pay for this war,' is kind of where I got on this train 20 plus years ago. It didn't work then, and I doubt it's going to work now. And I hope the American people don't fall for this a second time." Same here.

It wouldn't be a closer look without Seth, so here's Trump Says U.S. Will "Run" Venezuela & Take Its Oil, Threatens Colombia, Mexico, Cuba: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at Trump making history by becoming the first-ever winner of the FIFA Peace Prize to bomb another country and kidnap its leader.

Yeah, Maduro's singing and dancing is bad and ridiculous, but he has better moves than Hoover Cleveland. Is he that petty? Yes. Witness what he and the people around him are saying about the Nobel Peace Prize winner; she'd be invited to run the country if she had declined it and given it to Hoover Cleveland. He's also that transparent, although not in the way usually meant by transparency. Speaking of which, he's not even bothering to hide that it's about oil. Principles? Hah! What are those to Hoover Cleveland?

I turn to Jimmy Kimmel Recaps the Crazy Stuff Trump Did Over the Holidays & Takes Cognitive Test Donny “ACED”, for today's final monologue.

Donald Trump did so much crazy stuff over the last two weeks that it would take a nine part Ken Burns documentary series to cover it, he hosted the lowest rated Kennedy Center Honors telecast ever, he finally broke his silence about the First Lady’s underpants, he posted on Truth social 556 times, he spoke to kids calling into the Santa Tracker Hotline on Christmas, he enlisted Vanilla Ice to perform at his Mar-A-Lago New Years Eve party, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured by Delta Force at their home in Caracas and brought to New York, Trump has his eyes set on Greenland, and Jimmy takes a cognitive test that is just like the tests that Trump says he “aced.”

Hoover Cleveland was ridiculously busy over the holidays. At least last year he had the excuse that he was putting together his second administration, but even then his designs on Greenland and Canada made news. He hasn't given up on them.

As for his posting 556 times to Truth Social, including more than 200 on Christmas Eve, I had the following to say on Bluesky:

I used to give out awards for stupid net tricks like this. Google "Wollmann Rubber Turkey."

— Vince Lamb (@vincelamb.bsky.social) December 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM

These are the same awards that included the Kenny McCormick Memorial Medal for losing at least five accounts because of abuse.

I close by returning to The Late Show with A New Dance Craze Sweeps Across The Americas.

This guy will do anything to distract attention from the Epstein Files.

Stephen mentioned the Epstein Files, but you know what no one mentioned? The fifth anniversary of January 6th. I might do that tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Colbert, Stewart, Kimmel, and Meyers take closer looks at SNAP benefits expiring

I promised "a closer look post [today] — comedy about the news because it hurts too much to cry." I'm fulfulling that beginning with Stephen Colbert's MAGA Parties While Children Go Hungry | Trump's Shady Crypto Pardon | NEO The Housekeeper Robot.

President Trump, who hosted a lavish Halloween party while refusing to fund SNAP benefits for needy American families, told Norah O'Donnell on "60 Minutes" that he pardoned a man he knows nothing about. In tech news, a robot named NEO might be the next big thing in house cleaning.

If one of my readers had asked me if the shutdown would still be going on by now, I'd have said no. I was wrong. Neither side is ready to fold.

As for NEO the robot, I doubt I will ever pay $20,000 for a hi-tech puppet, not even a robot, operated by someone who thinks a walnut is an egg. Just the same, NEO is proof that we live in science fiction times, or, as my friend Nebris says, SciFi is now.

John Stewart examined most of the main issues in Trump Throws Gatsby Party as SNAP Funding Expires, Makes It Rain on Argentina | The Daily Show.

Between Trump throwing a lavish "Great Gatsby"-themed party on the night that SNAP benefits ran out for millions of Americans, dragging his feet to open court-ordered emergency funding for food stamps while throwing billions of bailout dollars at Argentina, and the GOP's general racism-tinged disdain for SNAP recipients, Jon Stewart seriously doubts that the president's "big heart" goes out to anyone but himself and the toadies on his VIP list.

Good news! The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was cancelled, but at least we get another season of The Daily Show. That will keep us entertained and informed as we deal with the Satan Sandwich of the Big Brutal Bill. I think people would rather have food and healthcare. I'm not looking forward to seeing the prices of my health insurance options when I get to my office this afternoon. I'm fortunate my wife and I are old enough that I qualify for Medicare; we have another choice.

Jimmy Kimmel examined the news from the West Coast in Trump Throws Great Gatsby Party as SNAP Benefits Expire, Blames Democrats for Shutdown & Dodgers Win.

The Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend to become back-to-back World Series champions, Los Angeles went crazy after Game 7 ended, Trump took to Truth Social to congratulate them, he spent the weekend posting photos of the awesome new toilet renovation at the White House, according to a new poll from CNN Trump's approval rating is at its lowest point since he re-took office, hours before millions of low-income Americans were set to lose their SNAP benefits Trump decided to throw a Great Gatsby themed Halloween party, today we learned that the Trump administration is only going to fund about half the monthly food benefits families on SNAP usually get, Donald sat down with "60 Minutes" where he was desperate to try to blame his shutdown on Democrats, Jimmy invites Trump once again to participate in a televised IQ contest against Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and our faith in humanity was restored thanks to a young man trick-or-treating on Halloween.

I grew up as a Dodgers fan, so I'm thrilled that they won the World Series again. Yay! I'm also glad Colbert and Kimmel clipped two of the most ridiculous and appalling parts of Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump's 60 Minutes interview. I wonder if that will earn an Emmy nomination. I hope not.

Of course, it wouldn't be a closer look without Seth Meyers, so here's Trump Renovates White House Bathroom as Courts Rule Against Him on SNAP Funding: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at the Trump administration trying to cut off funding for food assistance for struggling families while he renovates a bathroom in the White House.

No party, but lots of aircraft carrier catapults and toilets, both of which are Hoover Cleveland's obsessions, not Seth's.

I close by returning to The Late Show with last night's cold open, The President's Solution For Widespread Flight Cancellations.

President Trump explains how his revolutionary air transport system works.

*Snort!*

That's a wrap for today. I plan on re-examining ABC suspending Jimmy Kimmel tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Stewart, Meyers, and Kimmel take closer looks at the shutdown and sending troops to Portland

It's back to the federal government shutdown, beginning with Jon Stewart Makes the Case for Dems Holding the Line in Trump's Shutdown Warfare | The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart dives into the emerging effects of the government shutdown, the battle over healthcare that has Republicans and Democrats pointing fingers, and Trump's delight in using the shutdown to continue steamrolling Democrats and the Constitution.

"Chuck Schumer is a human flat tire." I think the Democrats would be better off with Chuck's cousin Amy speaking. She's actually funny. Too bad she has the good sense to be in entertainment, not politics. Not that the Republicans, other than Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump, are any better rhetorically.

The Star Wars fan in me appreciated Stewart reciting Admiral Ackbar's biography, which sounded like it was summarized from Ackbar's Wookieepedia page. I didn't appreciate the "you'll never get laid" punchline. There are plenty of women who are Star Wars fans. I'm married to one.

Stewart talked about all the things Hoover Cleveland is doing that he would do anyway. Seth Meyers started with those in Trump-Appointed Judge Rejects Trump in Portland; Trump Flip-Flops on Shutdown Layoffs: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at Trump claiming he has the power to send troops to Portland but doesn't have the power to keep the government open.

Ugh, more DARVO. At least Hoover Cleveland isn't trolling Democrats with mariachi bands.

I close with Trump is Less Popular Than Jimmy Kimmel, Rants About Osama bin Laden & Wants His Face on Money, which only mentions the shutdown in passing, but I found worth sharing just the same.

We are back after a fun week of shows in Brooklyn, according to a new poll from YouGov Jimmy is officially more popular than Donald Trump, the White House put out a statement in response, 77% of Americans want the Epstein files released, Kaitlan Collins from CNN asked Trump whether he planned to pardon Epstein’s right-hand woman Ghislaine Maxwell, Trump rallied troops over the weekend to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Navy, he took credit for saying that Osama bin Laden was a threat before 9/11, a federal judge last night blocked Trump from sending the California National Guard to Oregon, he is also threatening NBC over some things Al Sharpton had to say about him, the Treasury Department is talking about putting Trump on money, and we went out to a park in Jamaica, Queens and told folks that Trump was planning to rename the park in his honor.

Jimmy Kimmel's suspension backfired; he's now a hero of the resistance. On the other hand, Hoover Cleveland's proposal to have a dollar coin with his image on it shows he's a hero in his own mind. It's also illegal, not that he cares about the law.

That's a wrap for today. Stay tuned to see if I post something serious tomorrow.

Colbert, Meyers, and Stewart take closer looks at sending troops to Portland and medbeds

I promised monologues from my favorite late-night talk show hosts to end September and I'm following through, beginning with Stephen Colbert's Trump Declares War On Portland | Medbeds For All! | The Weak Case Against James Comey.

President Trump sent the military to Oregon after seeing a misleading report on Fox News and indicated that everyone in America will soon have access to futuristic medical technology, while the indictment of James Comey represents a chilling escalation of Trump's efforts to punish his political enemies.

I'm starting with the last story, since the other comedians I'm featuring didn't cover it. The game of musical chairs Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump has been playing with the lawyers in the Department of Justice reminds me of what I wrote in Noah, Meyers, Colbert, and Kimmel mock Trump's lawyers for his second impeachment trial: "Trump doesn't want to listen to his lawyers. He wants lawyers who listen to him. He should be careful what he wishes for. I think he's getting them, and they're not that good." I think he cares more that they're good looking and obedient than if they're competent. That means his lawfare is unlikely to result in convictions.

Seth Meyers had more to say in Trump Posts AI "Med Bed" Conspiracy Video, Threatens to Send Troops to Portland: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at the president posting an AI video of himself and threatening to send troops to yet another American city.

I haven't had much to say about QAnon since Meyers, Noah, Colbert, and Kimmel take closer looks at Marjorie Taylor Greene being removed from committee assignments more than four years ago, and I'm relieved not to, so Hoover Cleveland sharing the AI video about medbeds is annoying. Not only are medbeds a conspiracy theory, they're science fiction. They remind me of the autodocs from Larry Niven's Known Space stories. Those would be nice to have, but they're not supposed to show up until 2126, a century from now. Of course I would connect this to Niven. It's on brand.

I finish with Trump Sends Troops to Portland & Shootings Trigger Left-Right Blame Game | The Daily Show.

After a string of mass shootings across the U.S., America swaps out “thoughts and prayers” for a left vs. right blame game, Republicans hypocritically criticize the Democrats' “violent rhetoric,” and Trump escalates a nonexistent problem by deploying troops to Portland.

"Why Portland?" Because Hoover Cleveland was watching Fox News showing clips from 2020, not today. The preview image I had for Seeker explains how television entertainment can shape our political opinions and need to replace showed Hoover Cleveland saying "I learn a lot from television." Yeah, and a lot of it is wrong.

That concludes September's blogging. Stay tuned for the first post of October.

'The Daily Show' reacts to ABC suspending Jimmy Kimmel

I closed Colbert and Meyers take closer looks at ABC suspending Kimmel by telling my readers "I'm not done with the reactions to Kimmel being 'canceled.' Stay tuned for The Daily Show's response and its Emmy Awards for the Sunday entertainment [feature}..." I begin with Jon Stewart's Post-Kimmel Primer on Free Speech in the Glorious Trump Era | The Daily Show.

A humble, obedient Jon Stewart heaps praise upon America's Glorious Leader, Donald J. Trump, and provides an FCC-approved refresher on the rules of free speech in the wake of Jimmy Kimmel's suspension. Plus, the TDS News Team serenades the world's greatest, large-penised leader.

All Stewart needed to go full North Korean in this segment was to wear hanbok. Fortunately, he didn't have to keep up the schtick by himself all the way through. He was able to hand it off to the correspondents, one of whom, Ronny Chieng, knows something about living in a flawed democracy, having grown up in Malaysia and Singapore, which have similar ratings to the United States as of 2024. It shouldn't be long before the 2025 ratings come out. Let's see how much the U.S.'s number drops when they do. Any bets?

Kimmel's suspension didn't happen in a vacuum. For that context, I'm sharing Charlie Kirk Criticism Ignites MAGA Cancel Culture Spree | The Daily Show from Tuesday.

Desi Lydic unpacks the toxic internet landscape in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, where members of the Trump administration have called for people to lose their jobs for criticizing Kirk, the attorney general has seemingly forgotten the meaning of free speech, and Trump only wants to discuss White House renovations. Plus, Michael Kosta offers some solid reasoning for going back to the ‘80s.

I remember the 1980s. Going back would be fun, but only if I get to be 25 again. Otherwise, no.

I'm returning to Thursday's episode for Maria Ressa - Fighting Back Against Trump’s Authoritarian Algorithm With Truth | The Daily Show.

“It’s both deja vu and PTSD.” Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist and author of the book “How to Stand Up to a Dictator,” sits down with Jon Stewart for a conversation about Trump’s authoritarian attacks on free speech in the wake of Disney taking Jimmy Kimmel off the air in fealty to the president and his hand-picked FCC Chair. Ressa, who in 2020 was jailed in the Philippines for her journalism criticizing the country’s former president Rodrigo Duterte, warns about the similarities between the dictatorship she lived under and the Trump administration. They also discuss how tech companies use authoritarian governments as case studies to inform their algorithms and manipulate democratic elections, and the importance in this political moment for Americans to take peaceful action before their rights are continually stripped away.

Hearing Ressa and Stewart talk about the collaboration between Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump's regime and Silicon Valley reminds me of the definition of fascism misattributed to Mussolini, "Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power." While that's a compelling definition, there is no evidence that Mussolini wrote this and his uses of corporatism and corporate power refers to something different from the cyberpunk idea of rule by corporations. Darn, because it would be so useful.

As for Ressa prefering to call the current situation an information Armageddon instead of an information apocalypse and seeing this as a positive, that's certainly a Crazy Eddie position. I suppose I should approve, but I'm not convinced.

All of the above are reactions that address Kimmel's suspension indirectly or explain the environment in which it happened. Jordan Klepper on Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension & Trump's Free Speech Crackdown | The Daily Show tackled it head on.

On this week's Daily Show Precap, upcoming host Jordan Klepper sits down with writer Nicole Conlan to unpack the Jimmy Kimmel suspension, and describe working on Thursday's special "Government Approved" response episode. They also look ahead to what might be in the news next week, including the UN General Debate, New York Climate Week, and what they're watching to get their heads out of the news.

Speaking of "a merger of state and corporate power," Klepper's take pretty much summarizes the situation. This is about billionaires knuckling under to state power for more money. Sigh.

Enough of the reactions. Follow over the jump for the Emmy Awards won by spinoffs to The Daily Show.

Stewart, Colbert, Meyers, and Tomlinson take closer looks at the protests in Los Angeles

I closed Federalized National Guard mobilized against protests in Los Angeles by telling my readers “I expect I will examine the situation through comedy tomorrow, as the late-night talk-show hosts will chime in, especially Jimmy Kimmel, who records his show only a few miles away from the protests. Stay tuned.” Kimmel wasn’t on last night, which I found disappointing, but all the rest of my usual sources were, so I begin with Jon Stewart on the L.A. ICE Protests and Trump's Escalating Response | The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart examines chaos in the MAGA-verse, as escalating ICE raids in Los Angeles erupt in protests, Stephen Miller hunts for nonviolent immigrants, Elon plays the Epstein card on Trump, and the Trump-Elon alpha male war reveals itself as a sensitive baby feud.

If anyone comes out worse than Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump in this sketch, it’s Stephen Miller. He asked why ICE wasn’t raiding Home Depot and where did this all start? At Home Depot. Hoover Cleveland may be exploiting the situation, but Miller is just as responsible for starting it. Too bad Stewart’s joke about what Miller says during sex ignored that Miller’s wife Katie is now working with Elon Musk. She already self-deported.

By the way, protestors summoning Waymo cars just to set them on fire strikes me as a SciFi is Now moment. Didn’t something like that happen in Total Recall?

Next, Stephen Colbert examined the situation in Trump: Insurrectionists Should Be In Jail | Stephen Miller Targets America's Most Vulnerable.

Los Angeles residents pushed back against President Trump's authoritarian immigration raids this past weekend after White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller pushed ICE officials to increase the pace of their deportations.

The tear gas “tasted like Fascism.” Yeah, it’s a line right out of a B movie, but, just like living through the pandemic was like living in a horror movie, the current situation is like living in a bad political thriller. Besides, there is a Smithee Award for that, Best One-Liner. It’s pretty much the only “good” award the Smithees gives out.

It wouldn’t be a closer look post without Seth Meyers, so I’m sharing Trump Sends Troops and Dr. Phil to LA; Kash Patel Squirms on Rogan Over Musk's Claims: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at the Trump administration sending federal troops to Los Angeles in response to protests over immigration raids.

The Trump-Musk feud created another SciFi is Now moment when Hoover Cleveland threatened to cancel Musk’s contracts and Musk threatened to decomission SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, stranding astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). Yikes! Seth is right; billionaires should not be in charge of government and critical space missions should not be privatized.

Moving on to the ICE raids and protests they provoked, Dr. Phil embedding himself with ICE reminds me of what I first wrote on this blog in 2019: "Trump isn't staffing an administration; he's casting a reality show." Too bad all the rest of us are in The Trump Show AKA The Worst Wing, too.

In Kimmel’s place, I’m featuring Taylor Tomlinson Talks Protests in Los Angeles.

Taylor Tomlinson talks about this weekend’s protests in Los Angeles.

This is the first I’ve embedded Taylor Tomlinson and After Midnight and it probably will be the last. Tomlinson is leaving the show and CBS canceled it. Sigh.

That’s too much of a bummer even for doomer me, so I’m closing this post with Donald Trump's Chief Enemy: Stairs, last night’s cold open for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

For President Trump, the enemy is everywhere.

HAHAHAHA!

Stewart, Colbert, Meyers, and Kimmel take closer looks at Musk leaving, Joni Ernst, and 'robot Biden'

Happy TACO Tuesday! The late-night talk-show hosts all returned last night and I'm not up for a long awards nomination post, so topical comedy it is, beginning with Jon Stewart on Elon Musk's Black-Eyed Exit & Trump's Insane New Biden Conspiracy | The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart tracks Elon Musk's White House crash, from the high of being Trump's "first buddy" to the low of his black-eyed DOGE send-off. Now that the 100-day honeymoon is over, Jon also checks in on Trump's other struggling cabinet members, like the FBI's burned-out deputy director, Dan Bongino.

As I wrote last week, "I'm glad 'Elon Musk's...Chainsaw Massacre of our federal workforce' is finally over." Relieved is more like it, although the rest of Project 2025 is still coming. I'm not looking forward to it.

I'm also not looking forward to Palantir, the company named after the all-seeing crystal balls in The Lord of the Rings, establishing a surveillance state. I've been paying attention to Palantir founder Peter Thiel mostly through his pet bad philosopher Curtis Yarvin and his protégé JD Vance. Now I'll have to start paying attention to Palantir CEO Alex Karp, too.

Moving from real sources of suspicion to conspiracy theory, Stephen Colbert covered Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump's latest as well in Joni Ernst: We’re All Going To Die | Elon’s Cocktail: Ecstasy, Ketamine, Shrooms | Biden Robot Cl[one].

Sen. Joni Ernst horrified constituents with a heartless comment about people who will lose Medicaid coverage under the GOP’s budget bill, Elon Musk denied reports that he is a heavy user of ketamine and psychedelics, and President Trump reposted a wild conspiracy theory about his predecessor.

I've never mentioned Joni Ernst on this blog before, but I've known she had a mean streak that she portrayed as toughness since she first ran for U.S. Senate in 2014. It looks like what I wrote in I ask The Archdruid and his readers 'Can you show us on the doll exactly where the educated professionals hurt you?' A Festivus airing of grievances came true for her.

Greer's premise/conceit is that Trump is like The King in Yellow and drives mad all who oppose him. I'd say he drives just about everyone mad by giving them permission to be their worst selves.

I'd say Senator Ernst succumbed to the curse. May the rest of us not follow suit.

I'm moving past Elon Musk's alleged drug use to Hoover Cleveland's re-"truthed" kooky claim that Joe Biden was replaced by a "robot clone" in 2020. As Stephen points out, robots are not clones, and the imagined replacement would have been worse than the original, both of which remind me of one of the lines in The Way of the (Political) K00K, "Never allow logic or reason get in the way of a good k00k." It also shows Hoover Cleveland's vulnerability to conspiracy theories. I wrote that in 2017 and repeated it immediately before the election. The old dog, and by that I mean Trump and not Biden, is still performing his old tricks.

It wouldn't be a closer look post without Seth Meyers, so here is his Musk Turns on Trump After Leaving DOGE in Disgrace; Trump's Insane Biden Clone Theory: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at President Trump reposting a far-right conspiracy theory that former President Biden was executed five years ago and is a robotically engineered clone, The New York Times reporting that Elon Musk was engaged in increasingly intense drug use during the Trump campaign and more.

Here's a term Seth could have found in his thesaurus to characterize the week's news, dystopian. That would have covered it.

Jimmy Kimmel got solo billing last week because he was the only late-night host putting out new material. Today, he gets the last monologue slot, although not the last word, with Trump Pushes Crazy Conspiracy Biden is a Robot Clone, Weighs in on Diddy Pardon & Elon Says Goodbye.

Elon Musk is out of the White House and Trump held a farewell press conference for him, Elon had a mysterious black eye, the New York Times published a crazy story about him claiming that he has been taking a wide variety of drugs, Trump blew the lid off a bombshell cover-up by reposting a theory claiming that Biden was cloned and replaced by a robot, he took time over the weekend to weigh in on whether or not he would pardon Diddy, reality TV stars Todd & Julie Chrisley are already back to shooting their show after Trump pardoned them, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst had a town hall in Butler over the weekend where she told her constituents we’re all going to die, Stephen Miller was on Lara Trump’s show over the weekend where he took a rare break from deporting children to talk about his own, and while many Americans are now buying food on credit, some companies are trying to capitalize on that desperation.

The Truth Social user Hoover Cleveland re-"truthed" is even more confused than I thought. While there is a football player named Michael Robinson, he went to Penn State, played for the 49ers and Seahawks in the NFL, and is now an analyst for the NFL Network. That's not who I think the original poster meant. Instead, I think he meant Michelle Obama's brother, Craig Robinson, who was the men's basketball coach at Oregon State from 2008 to 2014, when Michelle was First Lady. Wow, they were in two places with two identities at the same time! Explain that, conspiracy theorist, while maintaining they're the same person. They're not.

I'm letting The Late Show with Stephen Colbert have the last word with last night's cold open, Joe Biden Proves He’s Not A Clone.

The former president pushed back against Trump’s claim that he is a robot clone of himself.

*Snork*

On a more serious note, there is a method behind the madness of Hoover Cleveland spreading this. It's an even more bonkers version of Biden using an autopen to sign pardons for Hunter Biden and others. "That wasn't really Biden" would be even more effective than "Biden didn't actually sign the pardons" — if it were true. It's not, not that it being BS will stop Hoover Cleveland.

Stay tuned to see what I write tomorrow. Maybe it will be the results of the primary elections in New Jersey and Virginia, which could be good news. I hope so.

Stewart, Meyers, Colbert, and Kimmel take closer looks at Trump's first 100 days for Wayback Wednesday

Donald "Hoover Cleveland" Trump's second administration just passed its first 100 days, so it's time for a look back beginning with Jon on Trump's First 100 Days: Destroying America's Reputation, Economy, & Leverage on The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart takes a look at Trump’s first 100 days: from plummeting approval ratings to unfulfilled promises on immigration, health, and the economy, to destroying his reputation as a shrewd negotiator with China and Ukraine[.]

"Suck it, Herbert Hoover!" That's yet another reason for me to call him Hoover Cleveland, although Hoover wasn't unpopular until after the Great Depression hit. That took a year; we're not waiting that long.

Hoover Cleveland claiming things are going great because he's making bank while posting record low poll numbers is enough to repeat what I wrote in George Santos sues Jimmy Kimmel and Trump sells sneakers, "[H]e has long had a very bad case of 'L'État, c'est moi.' As far as he's concerned, he is the country. He's also the worst president..." I may have more opportunities to connect those two thoughts.

I'm letting davidarcherd9868's comment on the video speak for me about what the economy.

Donald Trump promised that if I voted for Kamala Harris, I would experience the worst economy in recent American history. Turns out, he was right. I voted for Kamala Harris and am experiencing the worst economy in recent American History.

I voted for Harris, so I can say it's not my fault. On the other hand, I'm repurposing what I wrote at the end of John Oliver examines RFK Jr. & HHS, "Trump supporters like the Archdruid and his readers actually approve of what he's doing. I have another post planned about them."

Before I move on, I've been warning about China restricting exports of rare earth elements for years. I wish I were more surprised that China followed through.

Follow over the jump for more monologues about Hoover Cleveland's first 100 days.

Stewart, Oliver, Meyers, and Kimmel take closer looks at 'Gulf of America Day' and Musk on the cover of Time

I told my readers "stay tuned for comic takes on America's slide into autocracy...The late-night talk-show hosts have a lot of material" at the end of CNBC asks 'Can New Orleans Save Its Homes From Flooding Again?' They lived up to my expectations, beginning with Jon Stewart & John Oliver Welcome America to Its Trump Monarchy Era | The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart tackles Trump's attempt to be the Super Bowl MVP and examines the president's rejection of federal agencies, birthright citizenship, and basic constitutional checks and balances. Plus, John Oliver welcomes America to its monarchy era.

"Gulf of America Day" — *snort* I don't think it will ever be bigger than National Pizza Day, let alone the Super Bowl! Also, John Oliver would know about monarchies and imperialism.

Seth Meyers had more to say about "Gulf of America Day" and America's slide into autocracy in Trump and Musk Lash Out After Judge Blocks DOGE Takeover, Musk Targets CFPB: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at "President" Elon Musk calling for a judge to be impeached after blocking Musk's access to Americans' personal data, while Musk's second in command, New York businessman Donald Trump, claimed Musk has nothing to gain from dismantling the government.

Hoover Cleveland is surprisingly sanguine about Elon Musk. Who does he think Musk is, Vladimir Putin?

I close with Jimmy Kimmel's monologue, Trump Trolls Taylor Swift in Super Bowl Rant, Kanye’s Crazy Posts & Elon Kisses Up to Donald.

Jimmy ate all the food for the Super Bowl, we look back at the crazy conspiracies about the NFL rigging games, Kendrick Lamar was the star of the halftime show, Philly fans went crazy after the win, Kanye is making a serious run at the title for World’s Worst Person after going literally nuts on Twitter this weekend, he bought commercial time during the game in several markets including LA, Trump was at the Super Bowl and posted several times about Taylor Swift, he decided to declare a war on pennies during the game, he took away Joe Biden’s access to daily intelligence briefings, Elon Musk will be featured on the cover of Time Magazine, there was a deer calling competition in Germany, and we ask people their opinions on Super Bowl commercials we made up in a new edition of Lie Witness News.

If anything, Musk is being more deferential to Trump that Trump is to Musk. Putin would never do that.

Stay tuned for a post about what could be the pandemic.

Meyers, Colbert, Stewart and Kimmel take closer looks at tariffs and Musk taking over government computers

I closed MSNBC explains 'Trump’s tariffs will cost you. Here’s how' by telling my readers "I'm sure I'll revisit this topic and other current events tomorrow through comedy. Stay tuned." That's happening. Watch Seth Meyers as he describes Trump Caves in Tariff Fight with Canada and Mexico; Musk Takes Control of Government: A Closer Look.

Seth takes a closer look at Donald Trump threatening a trade war with multiple countries and plunging the United States into a constitutional crisis.

The good news is that Trump delayed imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico. The bad news is that Elon Musk has his flunkies messing around with government computers that disburse money and contain employment records. As someone who has worked for the federal government and hopes to start collecting Social Security next year, that's terrifying.

Stephen Colbert joked about both of those topics and more in Trump's Destructive Weekend | Canada Is Booing Us | Tariffs Will Cause "Pain" | Going Back To 1913.

Buckle up as Stephen Colbert goes through the laundry list of disastrous moves made over the weekend by President Trump, which included slapping tariffs on Mexico and Canada and giving Elon Musk access to the Treasury Department's payments system.

Stephen is right; the horse loose in the hospital again is doing so many terrible things at once that it's hard to pick one to focus on. My wife listened to Stephen's list and asked "is this real?" Sorry, darling, they all are. She also observed that Trump has no friends; otherwise he wouldn't treat our friend Canada that way. He also treats his relatives badly; ask Mary Trump.

Jon Stewart and the Daily Show news team had their own take in Jon on Trump’s Trade War, The War on DEI & Myth of “Meritocracy” | The Daily Show.

Jon Stewart examines Trump's attacks on trans people, Canada, and DEI as his first presidential orders of business and asks: How is that making America great again? Plus, the Best F**kin' News Team debate on where they rank in the DEI hierarchy.

Hoover Cleveland's offer to make Canada the 51st state reminds me of what I wrote last month, "I'd only be in favor of that if each Canadian province were admitted as the 53rd through 62nd states after Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico." Well, maybe not Prince Edward Island; they might have to rejoin Nova Scotia first.

As for Sean Duffy — what a step down from Pete Buttigieg — and Pete Hegseth talking about meritocracy, I have only one thing to say: "Only the best people." Yeah, right.

Trump Starts the World’s Dumbest Trade War, Doubles Down on DEI & Turns On California's Faucet

Punxsatawny Phil emerged and declared six more weeks of winter, Kanye West showed up on the Grammys red carpet despite not being invited, Will Smith was in attendance to honor Quincy Jones, NBA Star Luka Doncic somehow got traded to LA in maybe the most shocking move ever, Donald Trump is still posting about all of the water he sent us, the White House is continuing to double down on his nonsensical assumption that DEI caused the tragic air crash last week in Washington, on Saturday Trump issued tariff’s on Canada and Mexico before un-issuing them today, the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial saying his tariff’s would cause the dumbest trade war in history, and a brand new declassified files edition of Lie Witness News.

Jimmy K took a while to get to Hoover Cleveland's stunts with water and the now-postponed "dumbest trade war in history," but now I don't feel bad about giving Groundhog Day and the GRAMMY Awards short shrift. Seth, Jimmy, and Stephen had both covered.

I return to The Late Show to conclude today's post with Elon Musk And His Doge Bags.

Follow the saga of a non-elected billionaire buddy to the president and some boys he knows.

The only way to win this game is not to play.