Late-Night Comedians Target Trump's Immigration Enforcement and Political Fallout
American late-night television hosts have delivered scathing critiques of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics and the resulting political turmoil. The focus has been on the controversial ICE operations in Minneapolis, which have sparked widespread backlash and even prompted some Republicans to distance themselves from the president's approach.
Seth Meyers Exposes ICE Recruitment and Republican Retreat
On Late Night, Seth Meyers highlighted the "intense national backlash from both sides of the aisle" that Donald Trump is facing regarding the Immigration and Customs Enforcement occupation in Minneapolis. Meyers suggested that upon returning to power, Trump and his inner circle believed they could act with impunity, but discovered that homeland security adviser Stephen Miller's vision was "much different."
The host reported that Miller has been demanding high deportation quotas and even ordering raids on local businesses, leading Meyers to quip, "No one wants an ICE raid at a Home Depot," noting it's "already bad enough" in such stores. To meet these ambitious targets, the administration has been "lowering recruiting standards" for ICE officers, often training candidates before proper vetting.
This has resulted in the recruitment of individuals with criminal backgrounds and those who failed drug tests, written exams, or basic fitness assessments. With ICE's approval rating plummeting to -27 points, Meyers observed that many Republicans are "changing their tune" on these tactics. Trump himself is attempting to distance from the chaos by removing Gregory Bovino as border patrol commander.
"Trump is trying to distance himself from the chaos he created," Meyers stated, adding that the administration is "pulling back because they lost" after transforming "peaceful neighbourhoods into war zones" and underestimating local resilience.
Stephen Colbert Mocks Homeland Security Controversies
Over on The Late Show, Stephen Colbert addressed how Minnesotans have been "terrorised by Trump's goons," with anti-ICE sentiment spreading even into apolitical online spaces. Colbert highlighted the case of Kristi Noem, head of homeland security, who labelled slain nurse Alex Pretti a "domestic terrorist" without evidence, prompting Republican calls for her resignation.
Trump has defended Noem, saying she's "doing a very good job," to which Colbert responded in character: "There's no one else I'd rather have everyone blame for my mindless cruelty." The host noted Noem's attempts to blame Miller for her comments, while Miller referred to Pretti as an "assassin" based on information from Noem's own agency.
Colbert described this as "a real snake eating its own tail, which is how I believe Stephen Miller reproduces." He also mentioned the attack on Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar, joking that the perpetrator's motivation "might have been Donald Trump, might have been Captain Morgan."
Jimmy Kimmel Covers Epstein Files and Celebrity Endorsements
Jimmy Kimmel used his platform to discuss the impending release of remaining Epstein files, which have been delayed as Trump allies allegedly delete the president's name from documents. "These people have blatantly ignored the law for the past month," Kimmel asserted, comparing the files to "Melania's movie: no one's ever gonna see them."
Reports suggest Melania Trump earned around $28 million for her Amazon documentary, leading Kimmel to joke that "between this and her marriage, she's probably the highest-paid actress in the world." He contrasted this with the horror film Send Help, quipping it "would have been a much better title for the documentary."
Kimmel also covered Trump's "Trump Accounts" launch party, which featured celebrities including Cheryl Hines, Kevin O'Leary, and "one of the president's most unlikely fans," Nicki Minaj. Noting Minaj was "the only Black woman in the whole room," Kimmel joked: "Where is Cardi B with a fistful of shoes when you need her?"
Regarding the Minneapolis ICE violence backlash, Kimmel mentioned Republican Rand Paul's criticism, saying, "It's weird when you see him tell the truth. It's like when you see a muppet's legs." He also referenced Germany's travel alert about the US under Trump, noting, "Now when Germany tells you your government is becoming too authoritarian..."
These late-night segments collectively underscore the growing political and public relations challenges facing the Trump administration over its immigration policies and the broader cultural divisions they have exacerbated.
