The Crown Has Shifted: With Trump’s Return, Stephen Colbert Becomes the Undisputed King of Late Night
- john raymond
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Not long ago, the throne of late night comedy belonged to Jimmy Kimmel. He had the cultural pulse, the internet-ready monologues, and the everyman appeal that made him America’s bedtime companion of choice. But with the return of Donald Trump center stage—and the circus that inevitably follows—one thing has become abundantly clear:
Stephen Colbert is the king now.
The Trump-Colbert Feedback Loop
Colbert’s rise during the Trump era wasn’t incidental—it was symbiotic. Trump brought chaos, and Colbert brought clarity through comedy. He wielded his razor-sharp wit like a scalpel, dissecting daily absurdities and grounding his audience with truth cloaked in satire.
Where Kimmel plays the smart older brother who’s always a little exasperated, Colbert is the satirical theologian—breaking down the Book of Trump, verse by outrageous verse.
With Trump’s return to the White House, Colbert’s brand of cerebral, moral, and insightful comedy has never been more relevant.
Kimmel's Reign and Gentle Descent
To be clear: Jimmy Kimmel hasn’t fallen off. He’s still good—sometimes great. But his style works best in a world that feels like it’s mostly holding together. In the post-Obama, pre-pandemic years, Kimmel was comfort food. He didn’t need to punch up because there wasn’t a supervillain hogging every headline. When Trump first emerged, Kimmel punched back emotionally—remember his tearful plea over healthcare for his son? It was real, and it resonated.
But Colbert thrives in the maelstrom. His monologues aren’t just topical—they’re tactical.
With each new Trump administration fuckup, each culture war skirmish, Colbert’s quiver refills. He doesn't just comment—he contends.
The New Late Night Landscape
The competition has changed, too. Fallon, who once tousled Trump’s hair, has faded into irrelevance for anyone seeking substance. Seth Meyers remains a cult favorite, incisive but niche. John Oliver, while brilliant, only drops once a week. That leaves Colbert standing tall as the nightly voice for those trying to process a democracy wobbling on one leg.
In a world where satire has become a public service, Colbert is doing the Lord’s work.
Trump Is the Villain. Colbert Is the Narrator.
The reason Colbert is uniquely positioned now is simple: He understands Trump not just as a political figure, but as a narrative device. He plays the long game. He connects the dots between scandals, exposes hypocrisy, and ties it all into a digestible form without dumbing it down. His humor is informed, his guests are often policy experts, and his audience?
Engaged.
Trump might be the chaos king, but Colbert is the calm in the storm—if calm wore a suit and slung punchlines with surgical precision.
Long Live the New Late Night King
This isn’t just about who tells the best jokes. It’s about cultural authority. About who people turn to when the world feels upside down.
Right now, with 2026 barreling toward us, and the hell of another Trump presidency no longer a remote possibility but a stark reality, Stephen Colbert has never felt more vital.
The late night throne has shifted. Jimmy Kimmel may have held it during calmer waters, but the seas are rising again—and this time, it is Colbert who wears the crown.
Comments