Late night hosts celebrate Ketanji Brown Jackson's historic Supreme Court confirmation

"Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson today became the first Black woman to be confirmed to the Supreme Court, in case you're wondering why the flag over the Fox News building is at half-staff," Seth Meyers joked at Late Night. Indeed, Jackson just made history, "and I can't believe I have to say this: Brett, that champagne was for everyone!"
Yes, "Ladies and gentlemen, the newest member of the United States Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson — is what I will be saying in few months when she's actually sworn in," Stephen Colbert said on The Late Show. "President Biden seemed to understand the history of the moment. Shortly afterward, the White House released this photo of the president and the next justice of the Supreme Court sharing a hug. It's a very touching moment," he added, "reminiscent of when Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed and the former president helped him do a keg stand."
"That wasn't the only positive news from Capitol Hill, because today we learned that Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tested positive for COVID-19," Colbert said. "Now, everybody's wondering if Pelosi might have transmitted to other people after she was infected," including Biden, who she stood next to Wednesday and shared a cheek-kiss with on Tuesday. "But the White House said that Biden tested negative last night and was not considered a 'close contact' of Pelosi," he said. "Evidently the White House doesn't consider it a 'close contact' unless there's tongue."
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.
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson is officially "going to be Justice Jackson," Jimmy Fallon said on The Tonight Show. "When Disney heard that name, they immediately added her to the Marvel Cinematic Universe." Meanwhile, "it's also an exciting time in the sports world, because it was opening day of Major League Baseball season and the first day of the Masters golf tournament, all today.," he said. "Yeah, baseball and golf — it's basically the Olympics for napping in front of the TV."
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.
-
5 museum-grade cartoons about Trump's Smithsonian purge
Cartoons Artists take on institutional rebranding, exhibit interpretation, and more
-
Settling the West Bank: a death knell for a Palestine state?
In the Spotlight The reality on the ground is that the annexation of the West Bank is all but a done deal
-
Sudoku medium: August 23, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
US, China extend trade war truce for 90 days
Speed Read The triple-digit tariff threat is postponed for another three months
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks
-
Israeli security cabinet OKs Gaza City takeover
Speed Read Netanyahu approved a proposal for Israeli Defense Forces to take over the largest population center in the Gaza Strip
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ceasefire in border fight
Speed Read At least 38 people were killed and more than 300,000 displaced in the recent violence
-
Israel 'pauses' Gaza military activity as aid outcry grows
Speed Read The World Health Organization said malnutrition has reached 'alarming levels' in Gaza