In a late-night landscape long criticized for playing it safe amid corporate pressures and political backlash, Stephen Colbert delivered a performance that many are hailing as the resurrection of fearless satire.
On the first The Late Show episode of 2026, returning from holiday break, Colbert unleashed a blistering monologue targeting President Donald Trump’s surprise military operation in Venezuela – just days after Trump’s New Year’s resolution of “peace on Earth.” With razor-sharp timing and unfiltered edge, Colbert quipped that the attack proved one thing: “Those Epstein files must be crazy,” mimicking panicked politicians desperate to distract.
The segment didn’t pull punches. Colbert mocked Trump’s ability to “run two countries at once,” deadpanning, “He can’t even run.” Clips exploded across social media, racking up millions of views overnight. Teenagers shared reactions discovering “what real satire feels like,” while older viewers praised the return of a spark absent from late-night TV in years.
Insiders say this moment marks a turning point. With The Late Show set to end in May 2026 – a cancellation shrouded in controversy over perceived political motivations – Colbert has declared “the gloves are off.” Sources close to the production note he’s channeling the raw energy of his Colbert Report days, refusing corporate caution or approval-seeking jokes.
“This wasn’t safe comedy,” one late-night veteran told us. “It was performance art with teeth – no winks, no apologies. In an era where hosts fear backlash, Colbert lit the match.”
The eruption comes amid ongoing tensions: Trump has repeatedly attacked Colbert, recently calling him a “dead man walking” and urging CBS to “put him to sleep.” Yet the monologue’s viral spread – from New York to Tokyo – suggests audiences crave unvarnished truth.
Critics who long declared political satire “dead” – buried under fear and formula – are reconsidering. As one viral comment put it: “Satire wasn’t finished. It was waiting for the right host to set it on fire.”
With months left on air, all eyes are on Colbert. If this is the spark, the blaze could redefine late-night before the lights go out.
Watch the full monologue on CBS or YouTube – before the clips get buried in the algorithm. The revival is here, and it’s burning bright.