Matt Gaetz is out as Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, and late night reacted with glee. That included the Thursday audience at “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which provided thunderous applause and cheers when Colbert announced the news.
“We have something to be thankful for, because this afternoon, Matt Gaetz withdrew as Trump’s nominee for attorney general,” Colbert said to those cheers during his opening monologue. “Oh, my goodness, isn’t that pleasant? That’s so nice. Thank you, Sweet Turkey Jesus, Gobble bless you.
“As as you know, Gates’ nomination has been opposed by many Republican senators, especially after two women claimed Gaetz paid them for sex. Yesterday at the New York Times, they published a chart of Venmo transactions between Gaetz, his friends and dozens of women to show how payments flowed between them. I think we all know what was flowing between them. But you know, just for schnicks, let’s take a look at the chart.
“There you go. It’s very simple. This chart connects all the characters in the Matt Gaetz Skinematic universe.
“As you can see, Gates and his associates sent money to many tiny women in red shirts, as well as several mysterious top hats.
“The only possible conclusion Matt Gaetz paid to have sex with the Babadook.”
Gaetz had been a controversial pick from the beginning, particularly because he promised to weaponize the Department of Justice and follow through on Trump’s plan to exact revenge on his critics. But the far-right Republican was also being investigated by a House ethics committee about sexual misconduct and other issues.
After Gaetz resigned his House seat to take the Trump administration job, House Republicans moved to block release of the report. But details, like the ones Colbert mentioned in his monologue, began to leak. It appeared Gaetz would likely face an uphill battle of a confirmation process.
Thursday night’s edition of “Late Show” includes guests House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Jeffrey Wright from Paramount+ with Showtime’s “The Agency.” Also, Evie McGee Colbert was set to appear in a Thanksgiving edition of “First Drafts.”