Critics of former President Donald Trump have decried efforts from former members of his administration to sanitize their reputations by joining high profile, usually conservative media companies.
Trump's first White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, began hosting a show on far-right disinformation outlet, Newsmax after a brief stint on Dancing with the Stars. Trump's fourth and final press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, joined Fox News as a contributor, while Trump's former National Economic Council director, Larry Kudlow, hosts a show on Fox Business.
Most recently, Trump's former acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, sparked outrage after finalizing a deal to join CBS as a political analyst. CBS co-president Neeraj Khemlani defended the decision to employees, saying Mulvaney's appointment would give the network "access" to Republicans, whom Khemlani predicts will retake a congressional majority after the 2022 midterms. Nevertheless, the Washington Post reports that a number of CBS employees are "embarrassed," fearing that Mulvaney's appointment has tarnished the network's reputation.
It looks like Stephen Colbert can be counted among those employees. He currently hosts The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS, and called out his own network in a recent profane segment.
Watch below
Putin Is A Victim Of His Own Propaganda | Mick Mulvaney Makes His First Late Show Appearanceyoutu.be
Colbert acknowledged the criticism the network has undergone in the wake of Mulvaney's hiring.
He jokingly introduced himself, saying:
"For more, we go to the Late Show's own media analyst, Stephen Colbert. Stephen, your thoughts?"
Then, Colbert turned directly to the camera and exclaimed:
"What the f**k?"
The studio audience cheered for more than 10 seconds, before Colbert mockingly said he looked forward to "Mulvaney's trenchant and objective political analysis" before highlighting some of Mulvaney's most controversial moves while working in the White House, noting Mulvaney not only called coronavirus the "media hoax of the day," but also defended Trump throughout the 2019 Ukraine scandal and erroneously predicted Trump would "concede gracefully" if he lost the 2020 election.
Social media users praised his condemnation of the network's latest shakeup.
🙏🏼Thank you. @colbertlateshow I wish more would speak out. https://t.co/GOe7HP8CH9
— Siobhan (@Shivy1231) April 1, 2022
I think every American with half a brain agrees with Stephen Colbert. That was Awesome. https://t.co/F0PvwkMRgp
— JOHNNY (@johnbirawer1) April 1, 2022
Damn good job Stephen I'd figure you would do something like this 👏👏👏👏👏👏 https://t.co/5TqSs7iKT7
— Jesse Retro (@ProDemocract) April 1, 2022
I liked how Stephen brought back the ol' Daily Show practice of just playing old clips of these guys. In this case, Mulvaney saying that whatever the election result in 2016, Trump would respect the result. https://t.co/BZkj391z7Y
— Beto (@BetoGuero) April 1, 2022
It was funny and I admire the fact that Colbert excersizes his free speech rights boldly. https://t.co/hJO1VoZFsh
— Margaret K. Saxon (@earthwindskye) April 1, 2022
Wondered how he was going to handle it. LOVED it! https://t.co/swSHr6fG3g
— Miss Murray's Mom (@sgh956) April 1, 2022
Some even called for a boycott of the network.
I will NEVER watch CBS EVER again. I stopped watching CNN bc of Rick Santorum. And even though they let him go CNN I understand you want to pull Fox viewers but you lost your loyal viewers. https://t.co/sBETGR38wn
— “And justice for all” 🇺🇸 (@dd1957b3f4394dc) April 1, 2022
I have #BoycottCBS . I refuse to support ANYONE and ANYTHING that has given TFG ANY air time...and you???🫵🏽 https://t.co/tj4GFTA6O2
— Diane (@DianeJanice1) April 1, 2022
Just watched the clip (copied below). Truly was something to behold and provides plenty reason to boycott CBS who is prioritizing ratings over democracy. 🤬🤬🤬 Gotta love Colbert for calling out his employer on their bs.https://t.co/fEbhIlMT2c https://t.co/s8KopEq2rn
— Casey Hannan (@CaseyHannan) April 1, 2022
It remains to be seen if CBS will reverse the decision.
