Imagine a late-night joke so bold, it leaves an entire audience groaning in disbelief. That’s exactly what happened when Stephen Colbert took aim at ExxonMobil during his Monday night monologue on The Late Show. But here’s where it gets controversial: was the joke a hilarious takedown or a swing and a miss? Let’s dive in.
Colbert kicked off his segment by addressing the Trump administration’s latest move—a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. With his signature wit, Colbert quipped, ‘Nothing to worry about, folks. Just a casual attack on the independent monetary system that keeps the global economy afloat.’ He even joked about calling his accountant to liquidate his assets and invest in ‘bronze weaponry and fertile goats,’ a playful nod to the absurdity of the situation. And this is the part most people miss: Colbert wasn’t just making jokes; he was highlighting the gravity of undermining a cornerstone of economic stability.
The host didn’t stop there. He pointed out the fierce backlash Trump faced, including a letter signed by every living former Fed chair warning of dire consequences for the U.S. economy. Colbert’s response? A tongue-in-cheek jab: ‘Okay, but what do they know about money? Have they ever correctly identified a giraffe on a cognitive test?’ It’s classic Colbert—blending humor with a sharp critique of the absurd.
But the real fireworks came when Colbert turned his attention to ExxonMobil. After mocking Trump’s bizarre Wikipedia post declaring himself ‘Acting President of Venezuela’ (alongside other absurd titles like ‘Miss Iowa 1966’), he pivoted to Trump’s meeting with oil executives. During the meeting, Trump accused Exxon of being ‘too cute’ for avoiding investments in Venezuela’s oil industry. Colbert’s reaction? ‘Ah, yes, the notoriously cute global resource extraction corporation known as Exxon.’ He even joked about their imaginary slogan: ‘When you think of us, technically you do think of baby ducks.’ The audience’s response? A mix of shocked laughter and audible groans. ‘Yeah, I agree,’ Colbert admitted. ‘That’s a tough one.’
Here’s the bold question: Did Colbert cross a line, or was he simply holding a mirror up to the absurdity of corporate and political behavior? Exxon, a company often criticized for its environmental impact, being called ‘cute’ is undeniably ironic. But was the joke too obscure, or did it land perfectly? Let’s be honest—Exxon and baby ducks don’t exactly go hand in hand. Yet, Colbert’s point was clear: the disconnect between corporate actions and public perception is ripe for satire.
What do you think? Was Colbert’s Exxon joke a stroke of comedic genius, or did it fall flat? And more importantly, does humor have a role in exposing the contradictions of powerful entities? Sound off in the comments—we want to hear your take!
