Stephen Colbert comments on Pete Hegseth's Venezuela scandal: 'Frantically shifting blame'

Late-night shows this week covered President Donald Trumps renaming of the U.S. Institute of Peace, Pete Hegseths ongoing Venezuela controversy, and newly released photos from Epstein Island.

Trump Targets Auto Industry Rules

Stephen Colbert opened Thursdays Late Show discussing Trumps meeting with auto industry leaders, where the president announced he would scrap Joe Biden-era regulations aimed at increasing electric vehicle production.

This is a Green New Stand, Trump said in the Oval Office. People were paying too much for cars that didnt perform well All the unnecessary rules are gone.

Colbert mimicked Trump, quipping, All a car needs is the basics: a gas pedal, a steering wheel, and maybe a little hula girl on the dashboard. Dance for me, tiny ukulele bride!

Trump also criticized the Environmental Protection Agencys tailpipe emission standards. Colbert added, Makes sensehes used to standing behind a tailpipe to apply his makeup.

Institute of Peace Gets a Trump Makeover

The president also succeeded in renaming the formerly non-partisan Institute of Peace to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace. A State Department post stated the change reflects the greatest dealmaker in U.S. history.

Colbert reacted incredulously: The greatest dealmaker? This is coming from an administration that previously called the institute bloated and useless.

Hegseth Faces Scrutiny over Venezuela Strike

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth remains embroiled in controversy for allegedly targeting drug smugglers off Venezuelas coast and executing survivors of an initial strike. Critics, including members of his own party, consider this a violation of international law.

Hegseth has been desperately shifting blame onto Navy Admiral Frank Mitch Bradley. Colbert joked about Bradleys testimony, saying, Mitch testified and frankly, things went bradly. Bradley claimed the two survivors were attempting to continue their drug operation despite the strike. Colbert added, The boat was destroyed! How were they planning to continue? By riding dolphin drug mules to Miami?

Jimmy Kimmel Highlights Trending News

In Los Angeles, Jimmy Kimmel noted that Google listed him as the third-most trending figure in 2025, after singer d4vd and rapper Kendrick Lamar. Kimmel joked about surpassing Diddy in trends and commented on Trumps constant desire for praise, highlighting the renaming of the Institute of Peace as an example of sycophantic behavior.

A White House spokesperson defended the renaming, calling the institute previously bloated and useless, prompting Kimmel to remark, So now its named after another bloated, useless entity that provides no peace.

Epstein Island Photos Released

The Department of Justice is set to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein soon, but House Democrats have already released a batch of over 150 photos and videos from Epsteins Caribbean estate, showing pools, bedrooms, bathrooms, and a photo of Epstein with Ghislaine Maxwell meeting Pope John Paul II.

Jordan Klepper of The Daily Show joked about the poor quality of the estate, saying, Epstein Island looked terribleeven the common spaces were awful. He mocked the dcor, questioning how a billionaire could have such poorly arranged furnishings despite his wealth.

Klepper added humorously that the release contained no major revelations, except that the estate appeared surprisingly low-end for someone of Epsteins means.

Author: Harper Simmons