Stephen Colbert addressed President Joe Biden’s performance in the debate with Donald Trump on his CBS “Late Show.” Despite the challenging situation, Colbert dived into satirical jokes, comparing Biden’s debating skills to Abraham Lincoln, stating, “I think Biden debates as well as Abraham Lincoln — if you dug him up right now.” Other late-night hosts like Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Fallon also touched on Biden’s stumbling performance and the internal debates within the Democratic party regarding his reelection campaign.
Robert Thompson, a TV and popular culture scholar at Syracuse University, noted that late-night comedy has historically targeted figures in power, regardless of political affiliation. While some hosts, such as Colbert and Kimmel, have personal connections with Biden, they did not shy away from addressing his debate troubles. Colbert, in particular, showcased a mix of humor and empathy in his monologues, highlighting Biden’s challenges and potential decisions.
Amid the humorous take on Biden’s performance, the change in tone towards Biden by late-night hosts this week could be seen as a shift that may please Donald Trump, who has faced considerable criticism and mockery on these shows. Stewart emphasized the stunning nature of Biden’s debate performance and his team’s response, calling for more transparency and honest conversations about his condition.
Late-night comedians like Seth Meyers also joined in on poking fun at Biden’s debate remarks, with a mix of jokes and commentary on his age and promises to improve. Despite a potentially smaller TV audience, Thompson believes that late-night hosts still hold significant influence in public discourse, especially through online clips and social media sharing. As the discussions around Biden continue, late-night shows serve as unexpected platforms for addressing political figures and current events.
Jimmy Fallon wrapped up the week with a light-hearted joke about Biden, stating, “Biden hasn’t seen so many people jump ship since he vacationed on the Titanic.” The commentary and humor surrounding Biden’s debate performance reflect the ongoing conversation in late-night comedy about the political landscape and prominent figures.
