CBS’s host of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert, and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel were displeased on their Tuesday shows that some people are still criticizing President Joe Biden for pardoning his son, Hunter. For both men, the re-election of Donald Trump makes such criticisms moot.
For his part, Colbert focused on the intra-party squabbles, “Now, some of Joe's fellow Democrats are also a little upset. Colorado Senator Michael Bennet tweeted, ‘President Biden's decision to put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans' faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all.’”
Colbert was unmoved, “Okay, not sure how much interest Americans have in the idea of justice right now. After all, we had an election, and we did just re-elect a guy whose slogan was ‘Like my crime? Then hit me, baby, one more time.’”
Speaking of Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis was next to face Colbert’s ridicule, “Democratic Governor Jared Polis said that President Biden has a bigger family to think about, because "When you become president, your role is Pater familias of the nation." Yes, the president is the nation's dad. We all remember FDR’s immortal words.”
Colbert then played a spoof of Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech with the fake FDR declaring, “December 7th, 1941, a date which you promised to shovel the walk! Do it quick, and I won't tell your mother, who’s also my cousin. Weird time to tell you, but there you go.”
Meanwhile, over at ABC, Kimmel focused on the GOP response, “Back home in Washington, Republicans are absolutely exploding with pretend outrage after President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter. One of those who expressed righteous indignation is Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who warned us of the long-term perils associated with a situation like this.”
In a clip, Cornyn proclaimed, “It's a terrible example. Because without any accountability for people breaking the law, getting a pass, in other words, there is no deterrent effect or no accountability that teaches our young people and others that, yes, you need to follow the law. And yes, there are consequences if you don't.”
The CSPAN clip was then edited to show footage of an audience laughing at Cornyn. For his part, Kimmel, clearly alluding to Trump, responded, “And you know what? People say politicians have no sense of humor. These guys have seriously got to be kidding with this. I don't think I can take it—they do it with a straight face over and over again.”
Back in 2021, Kimmel did a gushy interview Hunter where he made light out of the idea Hunter's only qualification for various jobs, like Burisma, was his last name and the laptop.
What Colbert and Kimmel don't get is that the Hunter pardon is not an attempt by Biden to apply Trumpian standards to his son, but the continuation of a swampy tradition that predates Trump, which makes all the Trump criticism look like a one-sided power play.
Here are transcripts for the December 3 shows:
CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
12/3/2024
11:38 PM ET
STEPHEN COLBERT: Now, some of Joe's fellow Democrats are also a little upset. Colorado Senator Michael Bennet tweeted, "President Biden's decision to put personal interest ahead of duty and further erodes Americans' faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all."
Okay, not sure how much interest Americans have in the idea of justice right now. After all, we had an election, and we did just re-elect a guy whose slogan was "Like my crime? Then hit me, baby, one more time."
Now, come in close, come in close, I can’t do it yet. I can’t bring myself to do it. Democratic Governor Jared Polis said that President Biden has a bigger family to think about, because "When you become president, your role is Pater familias of the nation." Yes, the president is the nation's dad. We all remember FDR’s immortal words.
FAKE FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT: December 7th, 1941, a date which you promised to shovel the walk! Do it quick, and I won't tell your mother, who’s also my cousin. Weird time to tell you, but there you go.
COLBERT: Just-- it was a weird time for him to bring that up.
***
ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live!
12/3/2024
11:42 PM ET
JIMMY KIMMEL: Meanwhile, back home in Washington, Republicans are absolutely exploding with pretend outrage after President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter. One of those who expressed righteous indignation is Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who warned us of the long-term perils associated with a situation like this.
JOHN CORNYN: It's a terrible example. Because without any accountability for people breaking the law, getting a pass, in other words, there is no deterrent effect or no accountability that teaches our young people and others that, yes, you need to follow the law. And yes, there are consequences if you don't.
KIMMEL: And you know what? People say politicians have no sense of humor. These guys have seriously got to be kidding with this. I don't think I can take—they do it with a straight face over and over again.
