A Blistering Late-Night Takedown: Biden Joins Colbert in Sharp Critique of Trump

In a rare and highly charged appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. teamed up with the host for a pointed, often caustic dissection of President Trump’s record, drawing enthusiastic applause from the studio audience and igniting a firestorm across social media.

The segment, which aired amid the waning days of Mr. Colbert’s program before its scheduled conclusion in May 2026, featured Mr. Biden in a relaxed yet forceful conversation that blended personal reflection with unsparing political commentary. Mr. Colbert, known for his incisive monologues, opened with a series of rapid-fire jokes targeting Mr. Trump’s recent policy reversals and public statements, portraying them as chaotic and self-serving.

Mr. Biden, seated alongside the host, amplified the critique with measured but stinging rebukes. He accused Mr. Trump of undermining democratic institutions, particularly highlighting the events of Jan. 6, 2021, and what he described as ongoing efforts to erode trust in elections. “This isn’t about policy differences anymore,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s about a fundamental disrespect for the rule of law and the will of the American people.”

The duo focused much of their ire on Mr. Trump’s economic policies, including the imposition of broad tariffs that economists have warned could fuel inflation. Mr. Biden contrasted these with his own administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug costs and invest in infrastructure, noting that several of Mr. Trump’s early executive orders had rescinded those initiatives. Mr. Colbert interjected with a quip about pharmaceutical companies celebrating the changes, prompting laughter and cheers.

They also addressed Mr. Trump’s foreign policy, criticizing his approach to allies and adversaries alike. Mr. Biden lamented what he called a “capitulation” in Washington to Mr. Trump’s style, echoing concerns he had raised in earlier interviews. Mr. Colbert, in his signature style, lampooned Mr. Trump’s social media habits and public appearances, drawing parallels to past controversies.

The collaboration was seamless: Mr. Colbert’s satirical barbs set up Mr. Biden’s more substantive fact-based retorts, creating a rhythm that kept the audience engaged. At one point, Mr. Colbert played a montage of Mr. Trump’s recent statements, prompting Mr. Biden to shake his head and remark, “We’ve seen this before—it doesn’t end well.”

Reports from insiders suggest that Mr. Trump watched the segment live and reacted with fury. Sources close to the White House described him as pacing furiously, slamming his fist on tables, and demanding immediate responses from aides. He reportedly called it “the ultimate humiliation,” ranting about perceived media bias and vowing retaliation. In the hours following the broadcast, Mr. Trump posted a series of heated messages on his social media platform, dismissing the appearance as “fake news” and attacking both Mr. Biden and Mr. Colbert personally.

The episode quickly went viral, with clips amassing tens of millions of views overnight. Social media platforms buzzed with reactions, from memes amplifying the jokes to heated debates over the criticisms. Analysts called it one of the most devastating joint takedowns of Mr. Trump in recent memory, blending humor with hard-hitting facts in a way that resonated widely.

This appearance underscored the enduring partisan divides in American media and politics. As Mr. Colbert’s show nears its end—a decision attributed by CBS to financial pressures amid a shifting late-night landscape—the segment served as a reminder of his role in shaping public discourse through comedy. For Mr. Biden, now in retirement, it was a return to the spotlight, reaffirming his voice in opposition to his successor.

In an era of polarized viewing habits, such moments highlight television’s lingering power to provoke, entertain, and inflame. Whether it alters the political trajectory remains uncertain, but it has certainly amplified the ongoing national conversation about leadership, accountability, and the state of democracy.