Stephen Colbert mocks Kevin McCarthy’s ‘unprecedented humiliation’
By Matt Moore
Stephen Colbert gave Kevin McCarthy a not-so-fond farewell on Tuesday night. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert recapped the Matt Gaetz-led vote that ousted the Republican as Speaker of the House.
The fallout from the budget negotiations and near government shutdown seems to have cost Kevin McCarthy his power as Speaker. Democrats joined a handful of Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy after just 269 days in the leadership role.
Colbert appeared genuinely amused by the proceedings, dubbing them the new “McCarthy hearings.” The Late Show host especially enjoyed the back-and-forth between McCarthy and Gaetz that proceeded the vote to vacate.
Going further, Colbert’s monologue highlighted how the Democrats voted in step with Gaetz and eight other Republicans. Rather than try to make a joke, Colbert pointed to Democrat Jamie Raskin invoking The Big Lebowski by saying Gaetz “isn’t wrong, he’s just an a***hole.”
Stephen Colbert mocks Kevin McCarthy’s unprecedented humiliation
Representative Kevin McCarthy hasn’t received much sympathy outside of the GOP members who voted to keep as Speaker of the House. His rhetoric and dealmaking around the government shutdown along with his choice to go ahead with the Joe Biden impeachment angered both sides of the aisle.
There certainly wasn’t any encouragement coming from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Colbert’s monologue enjoyed the moment, reminding viewers that it took 15 votes to get the Speaker job but just one to take it away from him.
“Now, this has never happened in the 247 years of the Republic,” Colbert said. “So congratulations, Kevin. You made history. I’m sorry. Wait, wait. I’m sorry. I misread that. You are history.”
Colbert wrapped up the segment by claiming McCarthy faced “unprecedented humiliation.” The late-night host believes there’s no coming back from what just happened. But if McCarthy does try to reclaim any power or relevance, Colbert will be more than happy to remind him of his history-making tenure as Speaker of the House.