Stephen Colbert used his opening monologue on Wednesday night’s “Late Show” to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s controversial Cabinet choices. Colbert expressed disbelief at Trump’s nomination of Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida as attorney general and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. He mocked Trump’s decision, stating that Gaetz’s nomination is a “horrifying idea” considering the ongoing investigations into his alleged misconduct.
Colbert also criticized Trump’s choice of Gabbard, calling her a “MAGA minion” and questioning her qualifications for the role. He humorously remarked that the word “intelligence” is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Gabbard. Colbert went on to highlight Trump’s nomination of Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense, joking that he is a “weird dude” with little experience in the field.
Describing Trump’s list of nominees as a “Star Wars Cantina of a Cabinet,” Colbert emphasized the absurdity of the selections. He then discussed the Senate Republicans’ decision to appoint Sen. John Thune as their majority leader, pointing out the implications for Trump’s controversial nominees. Colbert expressed concern over Trump’s attempts to bypass Senate confirmation processes, with Thune’s support for adjourning the Senate to prevent scrutiny of the nominations.
Overall, Colbert’s monologue highlighted the unconventional and controversial nature of Trump’s Cabinet choices, providing a humorous yet critical analysis of the situation. The late-night host’s commentary serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough vetting and oversight in the selection of government officials.
