Late-night hosts sounded the alarm this week over former President Donald Trump’s increasingly authoritarian rhetoric, targeting both democratic institutions and higher education — with Harvard University at the center of the latest controversy.
On The Late Show, Stephen Colbert addressed what he called Trump’s “insane dictatorial demands,” including efforts to coerce Harvard into adopting a set of politically driven mandates. Harvard, notably, became the first major university to push back.
Colbert also spotlighted the troubling case of Kilmar Ábrego García, who was reportedly detained by ICE and deported to El Salvador due to an “administrative error” — despite no evidence of criminal activity. The Supreme Court ordered Trump to facilitate his return, but the administration refused to comply.
“These are court orders, not court suggestions,” Colbert remarked. He accused the Trump team of deliberate misconduct, noting that the former president has openly contemplated sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons. “We’re not on our way to a dictatorship — we’re on the ship,” he said, warning viewers that “regardless of your politics, those aren’t your politics.”
He mused whether America had a “break-glass-if-Constitution-stops-working” emergency protocol, before citing a little-known law allowing U.S. Marshals to intervene if a president refuses to obey judicial rulings.
This all unfolded during a week in which Trump also launched an aggressive effort to “MAGA-fy higher education.” His administration has demanded universities dismantle DEI programs, conduct plagiarism checks on all faculty, and report international students for behavioral violations.
But Harvard pushed back — hard. “Now you’re just like the rest of us, Donald. You just got rejected by Harvard,” Colbert quipped. The administration responded by withholding $2.2 billion in federal funding. Colbert, undeterred, reminded viewers that Harvard has survived since 1636. “Back then, the curriculum was Latin grammar, Intro to Leechcraft, and Witch Kindling 101.”
Meanwhile, on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the host welcomed back a visibly energized Joe Biden, who appeared at a bipartisan event supporting Social Security. “Man oh man, did he come out swinging,” Kimmel said.
Kimmel also took aim at Trump’s feud with Harvard, calling it ironic given that the university is home to many “liberal elite alumni” — including Senator Ted Cruz.
“Trump starting a fight with higher education? The guy who launched a fraudulent university? Sure, that’s who you want in charge of academia,” he joked, adding: “My money’s on Harvard — I’ve seen Revenge of the Nerds.”
As for Trump’s push for “merit-based hiring,” Kimmel pointed out the hypocrisy. “Just look at his cabinet — Pete Hegseth, Linda McMahon? That’s not exactly the Honor Roll,” he said.
He also noted the absurdity of a former reality TV star and Pizza Hut spokesperson being the figurehead of a meritocracy.
Finally, Kimmel skewered the growing cult of personality around Trump, referencing his followers’ new loyalty badge featuring Trump’s face in gold. “We’ve entered full-blown ‘orangenoser’ territory,” he said.
As the economy teeters and new tariffs loom, Kimmel added a final, dire warning — if coffee becomes scarce, “Americans might finally snap.”
