Stephen Colbert dissected the increasingly precarious political standing of President Donald Trump on Wednesday’s “Late Show,” highlighting a series of recent polls that paint a stark picture of declining public approval. The comedian didn’t shy away from addressing particularly troubling findings, including a significant percentage of respondents who view the president as racist, corrupt, and even dangerous.
Colbert opened his monologue by referencing an Economist/YouGov survey, noting that 47% of those polled believe Trump is racist. He wryly commented on the inclusion of the question itself, suggesting its presence on the survey indicates a level of societal concern that makes it a reasonable inquiry. “It’s like if a wedding invitation said ‘chicken, fish, or do you think Donald Trump is a racist?’” he quipped to the audience.
The president’s recent social media activity, specifically a video posted on his Truth Social account depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as a chimpanzee and a gorilla, further fueled the discussion. The post sparked widespread condemnation, with accusations of racism leveled against Trump. While Trump subsequently claimed the video was posted by a member of his staff, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later asserted that all posts on the platform originate “directly from President Trump,” according to Colbert.
Beyond the accusations of racism, Colbert pointed to other concerning figures from the Economist/YouGov poll. Nearly half of respondents (49%) view Trump as corrupt, 46% consider him cruel, and a full 50% deem him dangerous. He followed this with a joke about the remaining percentage, suggesting they “love a bad boy,” a line that was met with a mixed reaction from the studio audience, prompting a spontaneous, informal poll of his own.
The comedian’s commentary comes as Trump faces ongoing scrutiny regarding his approval ratings. Earlier this year, in late April, Colbert highlighted polling data from the New York Times, CNN, and an ABC/Washington Post/Ipsos survey, noting that Trump’s approval ratings were hovering around 39-42% – the lowest of his second term. He described these numbers as “historically bad,” and pointed to the economy as a key driver of the dissatisfaction, with over 70% of Americans expressing negative views about the current economic climate in the ABC poll.
Colbert also referenced Trump’s response to the unfavorable polls, noting the president’s tendency to dismiss them as “fake polls from fake news organizations.” He mocked this response, comparing it to someone insisting their mother is the “World’s Best Mom” despite their children’s dissenting opinions. “That’s like having a mug that says ‘World’s Best Mom! No matter what my kids say! Fake kids!’” he joked.
Despite the consistently negative polling data, Colbert observed that Trump continues to project an image of confidence, referencing a recent interview with Time magazine in which the president claimed to have secured “200” trade deals, a claim that has not been substantiated. This disconnect between reality and Trump’s public pronouncements was a recurring theme in Colbert’s monologue.
The late-night host’s critique extends beyond simply reciting poll numbers. He frames the data within a broader context of Trump’s rhetoric and actions, highlighting the perceived contradictions and the growing sense of unease among a significant portion of the American public. Colbert’s commentary serves as a barometer of the cultural conversation surrounding the president, reflecting and amplifying the concerns voiced by many Americans.
The ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s approval ratings and public perception underscores the challenges he faces as he seeks to maintain support heading into the next election cycle. Colbert’s consistent focus on these issues suggests a recognition of their significance and a commitment to holding the president accountable through satire, and commentary. The comedian’s ability to distill complex political data into accessible and humorous observations continues to resonate with audiences, making “The Late Show” a prominent platform for political discourse.
