Stephen Colbert returned from a short break on The Late Show Monday night, just in time to mark President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office. Colbert took aim at the Trump administration’s early stumbles, historic unpopularity, and flair for exaggeration.
Colbert opened the monologue by reminding viewers that the 100-day mark was just hours away, but it couldn't come (or pass) fast enough. “In seconds so far it’s been 8,596,800… 801… 802… move faster,” Colbert said. The joke echoed Colbert's previous advice that the country pace itself on Donald Trump.
The Late Show host made sure to spotlight Trump’s dismal approval ratings. Colbert rattled off recent poll numbers (42% in The New York Times, 41% in CNN) before declaring “That is the worst polling number since polling began.” He likened Trump's response dismissing the polls as “fake news” to clinging to a “World’s Best Mom” mug, even if “your kids say otherwise. Fake kids!”
Colbert also zeroed in on Trump's efforts to brag about his foreign economic policy. According to President Trump, he’s already made 200 trade deals, despite little evidence to support the claim. “That would mean he made trade deals with all 195 countries in the world … plus five bonus trade deals,” Colbert joked, suggesting those deals were with "Wakanda, Narnia, McDonald’s Playland, East Korea, and the princess of Genovia."
As is often the case, President Trump's cabinet members are the ones typically left to explain their boss' comments. And per usual, Stephen Colbert was ready to pounce.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant wasn’t spared, as Colbert mocked his attempt to clarify the “200 deals” remark by referring to “sub-deals”: “This man is getting $5 footlongs at Subway,” Colbert quipped. “He’s just taken a very high-level call with Blimpie’s.”
President Trump's first 100 days in office flew by or was a grueling period in American history depending on your perspective. For Stephen Colbert, time could move a little faster, but at least he's keeping busy by calling out everything he sees from the White House.