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Stephen Colbert breaks down ‘bubble wrap’ strategy to protect Biden

By Matt Moore

WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 20: United States President Joe Biden speaks during the National Thanksgiving Turkey Ceremony at the White House in Washington DC, United States on November 20, 2023. The presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the President of the United States is an annual White House tradition. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES - NOVEMBER 20: United States President Joe Biden speaks during the National Thanksgiving Turkey Ceremony at the White House in Washington DC, United States on November 20, 2023. The presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey to the President of the United States is an annual White House tradition. (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images) /
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President Joe Biden celebrated his 81st birthday on Monday. Stephen Colbert‘s monologue marked the occasion by breaking down how the president could be protected leading up to the 2024 election.

Biden’s birthday made him the oldest sitting president in U.S. history. Or, as Colbert’s monologue noted, the “oldest leaning president and oldest ‘just lyin’ down to rest my eyes for a bit’ president.”

The Late Show monologue then noted Biden has his lowest approval rating since taking office at 40%. Still, Colbert joked that a president running around with a poll number half his age is pretty good for an 80 year old.

But what about 2024? Plenty of critics, including some in late-night TV, have suggested President Biden is too old to run for a second term. Yet one survey found that some voters are motivated more by a desire to stop Donald Trump than by support for Joe Biden.

That has led some around Biden to float a so-called “bubble wrap” strategy to keep his energy and popularity just sturdy enough to outlast Donald Trump.

Stephen Colbert explains the bubble wrap strategy to help Joe Biden

The essence of the bubble wrap strategy would be to limit Biden’s international trips and provide more time for him to rest. Other strategists dismiss the idea and want Biden front and center, joking about his age.

Colbert’s monologue took that as an opportunity to give Biden material. Colbert dusted off his Biden impression to deliver a knock-knock joke about the grim reaper waiting at Biden’s door.

The Late Show bit had Biden less concerned about the end and more tickled by the reaper’s appearance. For Stephen Colbert, it’s more like Biden meeting an old friend than seeing a sign that the road is ending.

2024 is right around the corner, meaning President Joe Biden will have to get on the campaign trail in some form or another. Whether Stephen Colbert’s monologues zero in on his performance or stay focused on stopping Donald Trump isn’t much of a mystery.

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