American late-night television hosts used the fifth anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riots to deliver a stark rebuke to former President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to recast the violent insurrection as a "peaceful protest." Led by Jimmy Kimmel, the comedians dissected what they labelled a dangerous campaign of "revisionist history" emanating from Trump and his allies.
Kimmel's Blunt Monologue on a 'Disgraceful' Act
Opening his show on the sombre anniversary, Jimmy Kimmel left no room for ambiguity about the events of January 6, 2021. He stated that five years prior, after losing an election unanimously declared free and fair by judges across the country, Donald Trump "tried to overthrow our government in a pathetic and illegal attempt to stay in the White House."
Kimmel methodically outlined the sequence: Trump's pressure on Vice-President Mike Pence to refuse certifying Joe Biden's victory, his incitement of supporters, and his delayed response as they stormed the Capitol. "It was a selfish, disgraceful, tyrannical and dangerous act," Kimmel emphasised, arguing it was vital not to forget or give in to rewritten accounts.
He specifically targeted a new White House webpage that claimed Democrats staged "the real insurrection" by certifying a fraudulent election and praised Trump for pardoning "patriotic trespassers." "They actually wrote this," Kimmel remarked with disbelief. He also noted the mysterious disappearance of a commemorative plaque for police officers who defended the Capitol, which House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to display.
Colbert and Meyers on Trump's 'Love' and Denial
On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert wryly noted the date was "a permanent stain on the legacy of Donald Trump, because it is Eric Trump's birthday. You can't wash that out! Also, the failed coup." He mocked Trump's repeated characterisation of the day as one of "love," suggesting the former president's understanding of the term was warped, evidenced by his infamous birthday card for Jeffrey Epstein.
Seth Meyers, on Late Night, focused on Trump's recent social media posts and comments. He highlighted a poll suggesting 44% of Republicans would support amending the constitution for a Trump third term. Meyers also seized on Trump's remark to House Republicans that he wouldn't say he wants to cancel the 2028 elections because the "fake news" would call him a dictator. "Well, if you cancel the elections, it won't be fake news," Meyers retorted. "At that point, the dictionary will call you a dictator."
A Defiant Stance Against Historical Distortion
The collective monologues served as a cultural counterpoint to the political narrative being advanced by Trump and his supporters. The hosts framed their comedy as a defence of factual record, with Kimmel's declaration serving as the central thesis: "Five years ago, we saw proof live in front of our eyes that the American president is as un-American as they come."
The segments underscored how the events of January 6 remain a deeply polarising fault line in American politics and culture. The late-night hosts positioned themselves as explicitly rejecting what they see as a whitewashed version of history, using satire and blunt commentary to reiterate their view of the day as an unprecedented attack on democracy instigated by a sitting president.
