In a blistering display of wit that has reignited debates about the state of political comedy, Stephen Colbert delivered a monologue on December 15, 2025, that many are hailing as a triumphant return to form. Amid whispers that satire had lost its bite in an era dominated by unfiltered political chaos, Colbert proved otherwise, unleashing a torrent of sharp jabs at President Donald Trump that left audiences roaring and critics buzzing. The episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” opened on a somber note, acknowledging the heartbreaking murders of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, along with other recent tragedies like mass shootings. Colbert, ever the master of balance, declared, “Other people’s tragedy is sacred ground and we try not to walk there,” before pivoting to comedy “in light of—and in spite of—the darkness.” This set the stage for a performance that reminded viewers why he once redefined late-night television.
Colbert, 61, rose to fame with his satirical persona on “The Colbert Report” from 2005 to 2014, where he parodied conservative pundits with razor-sharp irony. Taking over “The Late Show” in 2015 after David Letterman, he blended celebrity interviews, musical guests, and political takedowns, earning multiple Emmys and a devoted following. Yet, in recent years, some critics argued that political humor had softened, especially post-2024 election with Trump’s return to power. Fatigue from constant controversy, they claimed, had tamed the edge that once made shows like his cultural touchstones. Colbert’s latest outing shattered that narrative, diving headfirst into Trump’s bizarre holiday speech at a White House Christmas party.
The president had regaled attendees with a meandering tale of a Peruvian doctor bitten by a viper, embellishing it with wild claims like “28,000 people die a year from snake bites” and inventing serpents such as the “brown mamba” and “mamba number five.” Colbert fact-checked mercilessly, noting the actual U.S. snakebite death toll is about 10 over 15 years, and quipped, “The answer is dementia,” drawing gasps and laughs. He lampooned it as a “terrible Christmas story” akin to viral movie marketing for films like “Anaconda,” complete with exaggerated sound effects and impressions. The satire escalated with Trump’s announcement of a “triumphal arc” in Washington, D.C., boasted to eclipse Paris’s Arc de Triomphe. Colbert mocked the vanity, punning on “a bigger bend than London” and joking about Trump’s ego: “No one out pizzas the Trump.”
Tying into broader themes, Colbert celebrated Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year “slop”—referring to AI-generated drivel—echoing his own 2005 coinage “truthiness.” He wove in jabs at digital fakes and Trump’s antics, like his football game appearances, suggesting a “presidential walk of fame.” This wasn’t just humor; it was a declaration that satire thrives on absurdity, especially in turbulent times. Fans online erupted, with social media ablaze over how Colbert “shook the globe” by reclaiming comedy’s power to expose folly.
This moment underscores Colbert’s enduring legacy. From roasting presidents at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner to navigating pandemics with at-home shows, he’s adapted while staying bold. As Trump fired back on Truth Social, calling Colbert a “dead man walking,” it only fueled the fire, proving satire’s relevance. In a world questioning if humor can still cut deep, Colbert’s comeback affirms: legends don’t fade—they evolve, sharper than ever, ready to storm the stage.
