In the shifting landscape of American media, late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert have escalated their critiques of Donald Trump, signaling a renewed role for satire in holding power accountable. In recent interviews and monologues, both comedians lament how cable news now treats Trump-level figures as regular guests, rather than subjects of scrutiny.
Kimmel, in one segment, chided networks for giving “equal weight” to falsehoods and facts, arguing that such balance empowers misinformation. Meanwhile, Colbert has grown more direct, asserting that interviews with Trump are no longer about inquiry but complicit amplification. Their punchlines pack more bite now that the norms of journalism and entertainment blur.
This pivot back toward political fervor follows years in which late-night shows leaned light. The hosts believe current conditions demand sharper voices. Behind every joke lies a warning: the line between humor and activism shrinks when institutions falter.
Their partnership—sometimes overt, sometimes parallel—reflects a broader moment in media. As segments replace soundbites, Kimmel and Colbert are reminding audiences that comedy still matters, especially when it dares to provoke.
—
Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com