Late-night host Stephen Colbert didn’t mince words this week, directing his famously sharp ire not at the Republicans who forced a government shutdown, but squarely at the Democrats who agreed to end it. His segment on The Late Show quickly went viral, capturing the widespread frustration among liberals who feel their party caved too easily, scoring zero major policy wins.
The core of Colbert’s rage was the perceived weakness of Senate Democratic leadership, specifically targeting Senator Chuck Schumer. The comedian lambasted the party for voting to reopen the government without securing any iron-clad guarantees regarding critical issues like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies or a clean Dream Act.
“Eight Democrats voted with Republicans to pass the bill and end the shutdown. They did it. What did they get? They got… nothing!” Colbert exclaimed, his voice rising in mock disbelief. He framed the outcome as a catastrophic negotiating failure. The party, which had the moral high ground and the leverage of the shutdown, walked away with only a promise to maybe vote on immigration later—a promise he called “absolutely meaningless.”
Colbert’s monologue tapped into a deep vein of discontent among the progressive base. Many had hoped the shutdown would be a pivotal moment where Democrats would finally stand firm against the GOP. Instead, they saw a quick retreat.
“They didn’t even get a clean promise to keep the lights on for a full year. They got a promise to maybe vote on something later. It’s like demanding a pizza delivery and settling for a flyer promising a coupon for a pizza later!” he quipped, perfectly distilling the sense of betrayal.
The segment highlighted the internal schism within the Democratic Party: the tension between pragmatists focused on short-term stability and progressives demanding a harder line on core policy issues. Colbert’s platform amplified the voices calling for bolder, less compromising leadership.
As the political dust settles, the late-night takedown serves as a clear warning shot. For many Democratic voters, the optics of the shutdown’s resolution suggest a party unwilling or unable to fight effectively, allowing the Republicans to consistently win the legislative endgame even when facing public backlash.
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