Late-night host Stephen Colbert didn’t hold back in his first monologue of 2026, taking aim at President Donald Trump’s bold claim that the United States would temporarily run Venezuela following a surprise military operation that captured the country’s leader, Nicolás Maduro. Airing on CBS’s “The Late Show” on January 5, 2026, Colbert’s segment questioned Trump’s ability to manage two nations simultaneously, delivering a punchy quip that quickly went viral: “He can’t run two countries at once. He can’t even run.” The commentary came amid widespread reactions to Trump’s New Year’s military move, which has sparked debates over foreign policy, oil interests, and executive overreach.

The episode opened with Colbert addressing the shocking developments in Venezuela, where elite U.S. forces executed Operation Absolute Resolve on January 2, 2026, just days into the new year. Trump, speaking from Mar-a-Lago, announced the raid’s success, including Maduro’s arrest on charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. The president framed the action as a step toward “peace on Earth,” aligning with his stated New Year’s resolution, but Colbert swiftly dismantled that narrative. “This operation, launched just two days into the new year, came as a shock, especially since, and this is true, Trump’s New Year’s resolution was ‘peace on Earth.’ Well, that didn’t last long,” Colbert said, adding a personal twist about his own resolution to switch to clear liquor.

Colbert described Maduro as “not a good guy,” acknowledging the Venezuelan leader’s role in his country’s economic collapse and personal enrichment. However, the host pivoted to mock Trump’s handling of the aftermath, particularly the president’s assertion that the U.S. would oversee Venezuela until a peaceful transition. “Oh, so this country and Venezuela. Evidently, when he says America first, he means alphabetically,” Colbert joked, setting up his central barb about Trump’s fitness for dual leadership. The line drew laughs from the studio audience, who appeared stunned at first before erupting in applause, according to reports from attendees.

The context for Trump’s operation stems from escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, culminating in the raid watched from a makeshift situation room at Mar-a-Lago. Maduro, indicted in the U.S. in 2020 for narco-terrorism, had long been a target, but the timing—shortly after Trump’s inauguration for his second term—raised eyebrows. Trump justified the move by claiming Venezuela had “stolen” U.S. oil interests, referencing the 1976 nationalization of the industry that displaced American companies like ExxonMobil. “Thank you, Donald Trump. What other wrongs of the Gerald Ford administration will you finally make right?” Colbert quipped, highlighting the historical grievance.

Colbert’s segment wasn’t isolated; it formed part of a broader late-night roundup critiquing the president’s actions. On ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” host Jimmy Kimmel questioned Trump’s multitasking abilities: “Is running the United States not enough? I mean, if you’re looking for a challenge, try a sit-up.” Kimmel also compared the situation to “JCPenney deciding to buy Sears,” and mocked Trump’s elusive health care plan while noting the invasion’s potential ties to distracting from Epstein-related files. Similarly, NBC’s Seth Meyers remarked, “We can’t even run our country. We had to invent GoFundMe so people could get root canals,” likening U.S. intervention to a “coke addict trying to run a rehab center.”

“The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon added levity with jabs at the operation’s secrecy: “When I heard there was an operation to extract a president, I just assumed Trump got stuck in his tanning bed.” Fallon also poked fun at the Mar-a-Lago setup, suggesting entertainer Vanilla Ice might have known about the mission before Congress. These collective monologues underscore a unified front among late-night comedians, using humor to scrutinize what they portray as impulsive foreign policy.

The White House has defended the operation as necessary for regional stability and combating drug flows into the U.S. Trump, in a Truth Social post following the raid, shared a photo of the captured Maduro, emphasizing the mission’s success and Venezuela’s vast oil reserves—the world’s largest. Critics, including congressional Democrats, have decried the lack of approval from lawmakers, arguing it sets a dangerous precedent. Republicans, however, have largely supported the move, with figures like Sen. Marco Rubio praising it as a blow against socialism in Latin America.

Colbert wrapped his Venezuela bit on a somber note, reflecting on historical parallels: “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+ 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.” This reference to the Iraq War under President George W. Bush added depth, reminding viewers of past interventions driven by resource interests.

Social media amplified the monologue, with clips from “The Late Show” YouTube channel garnering millions of views within hours. On X (formerly Twitter), hashtags like #ColbertTrump and #VenezuelaInvasion trended, blending supportive memes with heated debates. One viral post from the official “Late Show” account featured Colbert’s “can’t even run” line, captioned “Weird New Year’s resolution, but ok.” Conservative outlets, including Fox News, dismissed the comedy as partisan sniping, with one commentator arguing it undermines national security efforts.

Trump responded to the late-night barrage on Truth Social, labeling Colbert a “pathetic trainwreck” with “no talent” and suggesting CBS should cancel the show due to low ratings. This echoes past clashes, such as Trump’s 2025 threats against broadcasters following critical coverage. CBS has not commented, but industry insiders note “The Late Show” ratings spiked post-monologue, bucking trends in a streaming-dominated era.

The Venezuela operation has broader implications, linking to U.S. interests in neighboring Cuba, where Trump hinted at potential action, claiming the island is “ready to fall.” Analysts connect the two nations through their alliances, suggesting Maduro’s ouster could destabilize Cuban support. Meanwhile, Trump’s Greenland ambitions resurfaced in related satire, with Colbert tying it to oil pursuits in a separate segment.

Colbert’s career has thrived on such political takedowns. From his “Colbert Report” days parodying conservative pundits to his current CBS gig, he’s built a following with incisive humor. Recent segments, like mocking Trump’s Kennedy Center rebranding or a hypothetical body swap, have kept him relevant amid rumors of the show’s 2026 end. The Venezuela monologue fits this pattern, blending absurdity with critique.

Public reaction remains divided. Progressive groups applaud Colbert for highlighting potential overreach, while conservatives view it as Hollywood bias. On platforms like Facebook and TikTok, user-generated content recreates the jokes, with one TikTok amassing views by speculating on Trump’s “running” pun in a fitness context.

As of January 9, 2026, Venezuela’s future remains uncertain, with interim U.S. oversight drawing international scrutiny. Maduro awaits extradition, and diplomatic talks with Venezuelan opposition continue. Colbert’s doubt about Trump’s dual-country management resonates as a cultural touchstone, encapsulating broader anxieties about executive power.

In a media landscape where satire meets policy, Colbert’s words serve as both entertainment and commentary. Whether the U.S. can effectively “run” Venezuela—or if the endeavor echoes past missteps—will unfold in coming months. For now, the late-night host’s quip lingers, a reminder that humor often cuts deepest when aimed at the powerful.