The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is in a new era as it reacts to Donald Trump's second term in office. And according to host Stephen Colbert, the best strategy to not get too overwhelmed. But that proved to be easier said than done for the comedian just two days in.
Colbert responded to Trump's inauguration on Monday night, and he flipped his attention to Trump's first wave of orders on Tuesday night. "It's important for all of our mental health to pace ourselves, OK?" Colbert said. "Get some sleep. Stay hydrated. And remember, not everything is going to be about Donald Trump every single day ... except today."
The Late Show host kicked things off by calling out President Trump's sweeping pardon of the January 6 rioters. It sounds like Colbert could have met Trump halfway if the pardon was limited to non-violent offenders. But Colbert made a point to report that even those accused of assaulting law enforcement officers received a pardon.
On the stream of executive orders signed by Trump, Colbert said "some of them are bad and the rest are terrible." He emphasized Trump's decision to dismantle climate polices, raise the price of insulin, and withdraw from the World Health Organization.
Colbert could not understand Trump's order to rescind a Biden policy that lowered prescription drug prices, calling it "the only thing that everybody likes."
Stephen Colbert says Trump wants to be a TV star, not the president
Stephen Colbert opened his monologue by commenting on Trump's extended TV coverage. The president was on TV for over 10 hours on Tuesday.
It led the Late Show host to remark Trump has always wanted to be a television star, even moreso than the president. If it was up to Colbert, Trump would be on a panda cam rather than sitting in the White House.
Colbert hammered home his point again later in the monologue. Trump made sure to sign his executive orders on camera during his televised rally.
The comedian mocked the crowd in attendance for essentially cheering paperwork. And if that wasn't enough, Trump tossed his Sharpies into the crowd after signing the executive orders. Colbert could only imagine Abraham Lincoln doing something similar with his hat after the Gettysburg Address.
Stephen Colbert knows it will be a long four years for him. Two days into Trump's second term, he's already struggling to follow his own advice. The Late Show host will definitely have to pace himself if he's going to make it.