Late-night hosts discuss Trump’s tariffs, the plunging stock market and Republican efforts to deflect blame

In a recent episode of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert turned his comedic lens towards the economic ramifications of President Donald Trump's tariffs, particularly their impact on American consumers. Colbert humorously predicted that the price of a new car could skyrocket by as much as $12,000 due to these tariffs, expressing an absurd illustration of the dire consequences by suggesting that teenagers might have to resort to 'getting to third base in the back seat of a bike.' His jabs also extended to beer prices, as tariffs on aluminum could make beer cans more expensive. Colbert's use of humor to address serious issues isn't just entertaining; it serves as a critical commentary on the current state of the U.S. economy under Trump's policies. By framing tariffs as a misguided method of managing economic fears—coining it as 'fighting fire with setting our money on fire'—Colbert taps into the anxiety shared by many Americans about the instability in the stock market and consumer prices. Last week, the economy saw an alarming trend, leaving viewers anxious as Colbert noted, 'It's a toboggan ride to Skid Row,' reinforcing the notion that these tariffs do not just affect the market but everyday life for Americans across various sectors, from car prices to everyday household items. Late-night discussions among hosts like Seth Meyers and Jimmy Kimmel mirrored similar sentiments, addressing Trump's trade wars, poll plummets, and even highlighting discrepancies in the treatment of immigrants versus billionaire business associates like Elon Musk. Each emphasized a duality of reality: the troubling issues highlighted by current policies juxtaposed with the comedic relief found in late-night television. In a more serious note, Meyers raised concerns over the arrest of a legal U.S. resident, Mahmoud Khalil, who was detained for protesting the treatment of Palestinians. The late-night format served as a platform for discussing not just economic grievances but also social injustices, further amplifying the voices of those affected by the current administration's policies. As late-night hosts navigate through political satire and social commentary, the intention is clear: to provide their audience with a blend of laughter and critical insight into the events shaping their lives—an essential function of comedic discourse, particularly in tumultuous political climates. This article has been thoroughly analyzed and reviewed by artificial intelligence, reflecting on the power of comedy as a tool for both engagement and education.