Late night hosts explore Russia's sanctions pains, Don Jr.'s election texts, Trump's Dr. Oz nod
Russia partially defaulted on its foreign debt, and The Late Show suggested Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a giant yard sale. Some of the items were pretty cheap.
"While the rest of the world is focused on the Ukrainian victims of Putin's war, many Russian Instagram influencers, well, they feel like they're the real victims of what's happening in Ukraine," Trevor Noah said on The Daily Show. Cutting up Chanel bags they have already paid for is idiotic, but clearly "the economic pressure on Russia is having an effect. You realize that Instagram models can't even buy pants anymore. Clearly the sanctions are working."
Meanwhile, Will Smith was banned from the Oscars for 10 years — a blessing in disguise for Smith and bad news for Chris Rock, Noah explained. Also, "COVID is ripping through Washington, D.C., right now, and you know what? It's just nice to see the Capitol being overrun by something that doesn't smear feces in Nancy Pelosi's office."
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.
The House Jan. 6 committee says it has enough evidence to refer crimes committed by "our crazy ex-president" to the Justice Department for prosecution, "but they're hesitant to do that because they don't want it to seem politically motivated," Jimmy Kimmel sighed on Kimmel Live. "Pretty sure that Titanic has sailed already," he joked. "If you're worried about the optics of prosecuting, why do the investigation in the first place? How does this guy keep getting away with this stuff? ... They could at least ban him from the Oscars for 10 years, right?"
Donald Trump has "racked up quite a roster of endorsees: Dr. Oz, Herschel Walker, Sarah Palin — his goal is to turn Congress into The Celebrity Apprentice," Kimmel said. "But the most important Trump moment of the weekend" was when Trump finally admitted he didn't win the election. "Good for him," he said. "Put that on a hat — and tell Don Jr."
According to records acquired by the Jan. 6 committee, "Don Jr. texted his dad's former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, ideas for overturning the 2020 election, before the election was even called," Stephen Colbert elaborated on The Late Show. And Trump's endorsement of Mehmet Oz? "Come on! He's a con man. And so is Dr. Oz!"
The Russian debt default is a big deal, but "Russian troops are also sabotaging themselves," reportedly taking dangerously radioactive "souvenirs" from their occupation of Chernobyl, Colbert said. "Well of course, you can't go to Chernobyl and not check out the gift shop."
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.
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of Black country artists
In the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Top Russian general killed in Moscow blast
Speed Read A remote-triggered bomb killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
NATO chief urges Europe to arm against Russia
Speed Read Mark Rutte said Putin wants to 'wipe Ukraine off the map' and might come for other parts of Europe next
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Syria government takes charge, urging 'stability'
Speed Read The rebel forces that ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad announced an interim government
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published
-
South Korea roiled by short-lived martial law
Speed Read President Yoon Suk Yeol's imposition of martial law was a 'clear violation of the constitution,' said the opposition parties who have moved to impeach him
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Syrian rebels seize Aleppo in surprise offensive
Speed Read The rebels made gains against President Bashar al-Assad’s forces and reignited Syria's 13-year-old civil war
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published