Stephen Colbert roasted Donald Trump after his State of the Union handle noticed a lower in viewers from the yr prior, prompting the late night time host to name out his personal scores surge.
The comic weighed in on Trump’s State of the Union scores throughout Thursday’s episode of “The Late Present,” the place he joked in his monologue that CBS ought to “cancel” the president for “dragging down broadcast tv” — a transparent reference to his personal cancellation on the community.
“The Nielsen scores for his speech are in, and Trump’s talk-a-athon noticed an 11% lower from final yr,” Colbert mentioned. “I imply, Donald Trump is basically dragging down broadcast tv. I imply, if I had been CBS, I’d cancel him now.”
He continued: “However you understand, linear tv is doomed and everybody’s scores are happening, proper? I’m sorry. What’s that? Our scores had been up 7%. Over the identical speech final yr … I’m up 7%. Wow. Holy cow.”
At this second, Colbert’s studio viewers erupted into cheers and commenced repeatedly chanting, “Stephen!”
After briefly taking within the reward, Colbert added: “You already know what I feel was happening? Individuals might not like watching Trump, however they do like watching me not like watching Trump.”
Earlier than shifting on from the subject, Colbert steered that Trump may’ve elevated his viewership if he had “a blockbuster halftime present that includes Unhealthy Bernie (Sanders).” Watch Colbert’s full monologue under.
As we beforehand reportedTrump’s State of the Union drew 32.6 million viewers, which was down 11% from final yr’s congressional handle. The speech, which ran from 9:12 p.m. to 10:59 p.m. ET, broadcasted throughout 15 networks.
Whereas viewership for the handle was down 11% from the 36.6 million viewers that tuned in for Trump’s congressional handle final yr, it was up barely from the 32.2 million viewers that tuned in to look at former president Joe Biden’s final State of the Union handle in 2024.
“The Late Present With Stephen Colbert” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS.
