Late-night talk show hosts took the opportunity to react to Donald Trump's eye-catching cabinet nominations recently, delivering sharp jabs and witty commentary across various platforms. The news broke when Trump announced his decision to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, which, to many, seemed to be just another controversial choice on his list.
On November 14, during the taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel didn't hold back as he ridiculed Trump's picks. "Who else but Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who famously claimed his brain was partly devoured by a worm, should run health?" he joked. The light-hearted diatribe played on Kennedy’s bizarre past claims, which made for perfect fodder during the late-night segment. Kimmel quipped, "This tells you all you need to know about our country right now: RFK got caught having phone sex with a reporter and she was fired. What happened to him? They made him Secretary of Health and Human Services!"
Kimmel's focus on the absurdity of Trump's choices continued as he mentioned Matt Gaetz being nominated for Attorney General, pointing out how wild the reality-show-like atmosphere of Trump's administration feels. "He’s running the country like it’s a reality show. Instead of Meat Loaf and Dennis Rodman, he’s got Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard," Kimmel said. "If we wanted the host of a reality show to run the country, there were much more suitable choices!"
Meanwhile, Stephen Colbert took to his show to break the news to his audience shortly after it was made public. Grinning, he said, "Donald Trump continues his search for the most qualified people within his line of sight, and he has chosen anti-vaxx nepo maniac Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services."
Colbert’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he added, "I know it may sound insane, but we should keep our minds open—because that's how the worm gets in!" He likened Trump's constant flow of controversial nominations to playing bingo with increasingly ridiculous outcomes, poking fun at the notion of Tavish Gaetz stepping up as Attorney General.
Seth Meyers also chimed in across the late-night circuit. He expressed disbelief at Republican lawmakers who seem taken aback by Trump's appointments, particularly mentioning Gaetz's history with legal issues. "You didn’t seem to feel the need for a serious president," Meyers noted sarcastically. He highlighted Senator Lisa Murkowski's confusion about Gaetz's nomination, remarking how absurd it was to be surprised now. "The truth is, you too can have face consequences!'"
With humor and truth intertwined, Meyers critiqued, "You forgot the word 'yet.' Trump still has plenty of time to outdo himself."
All three hosts touched on the surreal nature of Trump's administration, equipping themselves with heavy doses of sarcasm and humor to examine the seriousness of Trump's cabinet selections. The whimsical yet biting commentary showed how the world of late-night television serves as both entertainment and reflection of societal norms.
A common thread running through the reactions was how outrageous these supposed political norms can sometimes feel, especially when reality seems to imitate absurdity. "It’s like the worst People’s Choice Awards every day now," Kimmel said, asking viewers to ponder just how far the political circus has traveled.
While Trump's picks may seem like personal jabs at Democrats, they appear to have also provided the late-night hosts with ample material to engage their audiences with humor and critique, delivering their take on the disarray of political appointments and the strange reign of the current administration.
Despite the chaos, many late-night comedic segments showed their commitment to holding politicians accountable for their actions, even if it meant doing so with humor. With their sharp wit, these hosts are embodying the pulse of public opinion during these ludicrous times.
Even more so, Kimmel outlined how Trump’s nominations have morphed American political culture, saying, "There are many theories as to why Trump is naming a battalion of bozos to do these very important jobs. Some believe he’s testing the Republican Congress to see how far he can push them. Some say he’s doing this strategically to weaken certain sections of government. Or, and this is the theory I believe: He’s dumb. He’s a dumb, dumb man."
