New York, NY — Late-night television host Stephen Colbert is once again at the center of a viral storm after delivering one of his most ferocious monologues yet, taking direct aim at Fox News host Pete Hegseth in a segment that has left both audiences and critics reeling.

During Tuesday night’s taping of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the comedian launched into a biting critique of Hegseth’s recent comments about media bias and patriotism — comments that Colbert described as “the rhetorical equivalent of lighting your own hair on fire for attention.”

Then came the moment that set the internet ablaze.

“Pete Hegseth isn’t just a talking head,” Colbert sneered. “He’s a five-star douche — the only man who could salute himself and still get it wrong.”

The audience erupted into applause and laughter. But Colbert wasn’t done.

“Honestly,” he continued, pacing the stage, “the last time I saw that much self-love, it was in a mirror factory in Mar-a-Lago.”

The crowd gasped — a mix of laughter and shock — as the studio lights dimmed for dramatic effect. Within minutes, the clip was all over social media, racking up millions of views and spawning the trending hashtag #ColbertVsHegseth.

The Backstory: From Fox Studio to Late-Night Fury

The fiery exchange traces back to Hegseth’s recent segment on Fox & Friends, where he criticized “Hollywood elites” for “mocking real Americans while hiding behind scripted jokes.”

“They don’t understand the heartland,” Hegseth said on air. “They sip lattes in New York and lecture farmers in Iowa. It’s the purest form of hypocrisy.”

Colbert, who has made a career out of turning political soundbites into comedic gold, seized the opportunity. But this time, his delivery carried an edge sharper than usual — a tone more personal than political.

According to several show insiders, the writers’ room debated whether the “five-star douche” line was too harsh to air. Colbert reportedly approved it himself, saying, “If you’re gonna roast hypocrisy, turn up the heat.”

A Viral Firestorm Online

Within hours of the broadcast, clips from the monologue flooded X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and TikTok, with fans praising Colbert’s fearlessness — and critics accusing him of crossing the line into personal attack.

“This is why we love Colbert — fearless, sharp, and hilariously savage,” one user wrote on X.
“He said what everyone else is thinking about Hegseth,” another added.

But not everyone was laughing.

Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe called Colbert’s remarks “a desperate plea for attention from a man whose ratings are slipping.”

“Stephen Colbert doesn’t debate ideas,” she wrote. “He insults people. That’s not comedy — it’s cowardice.”

In contrast, several fellow comedians, including John Oliver and Jimmy Kimmel, subtly backed Colbert, with Oliver posting a single fire emoji and the words “chef’s kiss” on his account.

Did Colbert Go Too Far? The Debate Intensifies

Media critics are now weighing in on whether Colbert’s comments represent bold satire or unprofessional hostility.

“Colbert has always walked the line between comedy and commentary,” said Dr. Marisa Clark, a media ethics professor at NYU. “This time, he jumped over it. But that’s also why people watch him — he’s unpredictable, unapologetic, and authentic.”

Others argue that late-night comedy has evolved into a space where political and cultural battles are fought through laughter — and Colbert, like his predecessors Jon Stewart and David Letterman, thrives in that tension.

“It’s not about jokes anymore; it’s about cultural authority,” noted Variety columnist Ben Rosen. “Colbert is shaping the narrative, not just reacting to it.”

Pete Hegseth’s Response: “The Joke’s on Him”

By Wednesday morning, Pete Hegseth had responded during his appearance on Fox & Friends, laughing off Colbert’s comments but hinting that the feud may not be over.

“I guess when your writers can’t land a punchline, you swing at Fox,” Hegseth said. “But hey, if being a ‘five-star douche’ means loving my country, I’ll take that rating any day.”

Hegseth’s response was met with laughter from his co-hosts and applause from Fox viewers, but the exchange only added more fuel to the viral fire.

Late Night vs. Cable News: A New Culture War

What’s emerging isn’t just a spat between two television personalities — it’s the latest front in the ongoing culture war between late-night comedy and conservative media.

Both Colbert and Hegseth have built loyal audiences who see them as defenders of their respective tribes. And as America heads into another election cycle, these on-air clashes are becoming increasingly symbolic of the country’s cultural divide.

“Colbert’s monologue wasn’t just comedy,” said Dr. Clark. “It was commentary — and in today’s America, that’s where the real fights happen.”

The Internet Decides

By Thursday, the viral clip had amassed over 40 million views, with major news outlets and influencers weighing in. The debate continues to rage — was Colbert out of line, or did he simply deliver late-night comedy at its fiercest and finest?

Either way, one thing is clear: Stephen Colbert’s takedown of Pete Hegseth has cemented itself as one of the defining pop culture moments of 2025.

As Colbert himself quipped at the end of the show, grinning through applause:

“If he’s a five-star douche, I’m just doing hotel reviews.”