Late-Night Hosts Critique Biden’s Farewell Speech, Eye Billionaire-Filled Inauguration

NEW YORK — Late-night hosts on Thursday dissected President Joe Biden‘s farewell speech and looked ahead to a billionaire-packed inauguration for President-elect Donald Trump‘s second term. Stephen Colbert, host of “The Late Show,” marked the end of Biden’s presidency, calling it the “end of an era” during his final episode of the Biden administration.

Colbert quipped that Biden’s warning about the “tech-industrial complex” lacked urgency due to his “trademark low-power mode whisper ramble.” He also mocked the seating arrangement at Trump’s upcoming inauguration, where tech moguls Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg will sit prominently. “Sweet Jesus in a skybox, that is the most corrupt-appearing thing I’ve ever heard,” Colbert said, referring to the trio as “pasty money buckets.”

On “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Kimmel poked fun at Biden’s 18-minute speech, joking that it was “also the amount of time it takes the president to pee.” He described the address as more of a “stern talking to” than a speech, with Biden warning of threats to democracy. Kimmel also mocked Fox News for focusing on Biden sitting on a pillow during the speech, quipping, “I guess it’s back to the gay M&Ms.”

Kimmel took aim at Trump’s choice of Hollywood figures—Mel Gibson, Jon Voight, and Sylvester Stallone—to serve as his “eyes and ears” in Los Angeles. “He’s summoned the three horsemen of the Apocalypto,” Kimmel joked, referencing the actors’ iconic roles. He added, “Kevin Sorbo must be devastated that he wasn’t included.”

On “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” Meyers reflected on Biden’s cautionary speech about the U.S. turning into an oligarchy. “Now you’re warning us?” Meyers said, noting that Bernie Sanders had been sounding the alarm since 1993. “Joe Biden is three decades behind Bernie Sanders,” Meyers joked, adding that Biden waited until his “last day at work to stuff the suggestion box.”

Colbert also revisited Biden’s meandering metaphor about the Statue of Liberty, donning aviator sunglasses for a comedic impression. “What I’m saying is, run! The Statue of Liberty is alive, everybody!” he joked, referencing the film “Ghostbusters 2.”

As the late-night hosts bid farewell to the Biden era, they also prepared for a new chapter under Trump, with Colbert quipping, “The next time you all see me, Donald Trump will be president. And you may not see me.”