Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel offer some theories about Trump's attacks on Baltimore
The Late Show began Monday's show with an homage to Shark Week, "Great White Nationalist Week," starring — who else? — President Trump.
Shark Week turns 31 this year, Jimmy Kimmel said on Kimmel Live. "Of course, the most terrifying shark of all is the dreaded baby shark. Not only are your kids singing about 'em all day, soon they will be eating them, too," in Kellogg's newest sugar cereal. He recapped the story of a feral squirrel then pivoted: "Speaking of rodents, the president is on the attack yet again, lashing out at yet another coincidentally not-white member of Congress, Elijah Cummings, chairman of the House Oversight Committee."
Kimmel read some of Trump's more than a dozen tweets attacking Cummings and his district's biggest city, Baltimore. "What a thing to say about a city in America!" he said. "The man who tells us love-it-or-leave-it has now attacked more cities than Godzilla." Trump denied that his tweets are racist, arguing that Cummings is the real racist here. "Whatever you call him, he calls you back," Kimmel said. "'Racist? You're a racist!' 'I colluded? You colluded!' This must be fun for his doctors: 'I'm obese? You're obese!'" He ended with a theory involving The Wire and an amusing half-fake CNN preview of this week's still-overcrowded Democratic debates.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert approached Trump's Baltimore attacks "in our ongoing segment, 'Is Donald Trump Racist? Episode 3 ... million.' Previously on 'Is Donald Trump Racist?' — yes! But some people still aren't convinced."
"Trump sent out the usual suspects to defend him on the Sunday shows," Colbert said, applauding Fox News Sunday's Chris Wallace for shutting down acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney's rationalization, then grimacing at Mulvaney's comeback. "Wow! Pro tip: If you're trying to distance yourself from accusations of being a white supremacist, maybe don't use the excuse 'Donald Trump's not racist — he'd say the same thing about Jews!'" Watch below. Peter Weber
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine hints at end to 'hot war' with Russia in 2025
Talking Points Could the new year see an end to the worst European violence of the 21st Century?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What does the FDIC do?
In the Spotlight Deposit insurance builds confidence in the banking system
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published