Late-night television hosts took a comedic yet critical approach as they discussed the political landscape, Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearings, Donald Trump's impending inauguration, and the Los Angeles wildfires. Notably, Steve Bannon's recent comments about Elon Musk stirred conversation among the hosts. Bannon, speaking to an Italian newspaper, labeled Musk as "a truly evil guy, a very bad guy" and threatened to "run" him out of the Maga movement by inauguration day.
Stephen Colbert of "The Late Show" injected humor into the unfolding political drama. He joked about Trump potentially high-fiving Bannon so vigorously that it would result in broken hands for both. Colbert also celebrated the release of special counsel Jack Smith's report on Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election, noting the implications for Trump's re-election chances.
“Boom! When people find out what Trump did, his chances of being re-elected two months ago are going to be pretty slim” – Colbert
Colbert emphasized the importance of accountability for those in power.
“A president should be bound by the same laws as everyone else” – Colbert
Meanwhile, Jimmy Kimmel provided insights into the Senate's first confirmation hearings for Trump's cabinet picks, specifically focusing on Pete Hegseth, the nominee for defense secretary. Hegseth faced intense scrutiny from Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee over allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse—allegations he dismissed as fabrications intended to undermine him. Kimmel humorously pointed out the irony of Hegseth's potential appointment.
“In other words, just the dude you want in charge of an $800bn budget and the security of the free world” – Kimmel
Seth Meyers turned his attention to Trump's inaugural eve festivities, where the Village People are slated to perform. He commented on the complexities of political alliances, particularly concerning Bannon's harsh remarks about Musk.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, unless it's Steve Bannon” – Meyers
Jordan Klepper added levity to the discussions with his sharp wit. He jabbed at Pete Hegseth's defense strategy and referenced a classic bar joke to highlight Hegseth's perceived inadequacies.
“Uh, OK, how about a priest, a rabbi and Pete Hegseth walk into a bar at 10am” – Klepper
Klepper further satirized Hegseth's controversies with humor grounded in fraternity culture.
“the dude who makes sure everyone at the frat house has his story straight” – Klepper
Amidst these political discussions, Jimmy Kimmel also updated viewers on the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, underscoring the real-world challenges facing communities amid political theater.