Stephen Colbert Targets Donald Trump in Animated Holiday Special

Stephen Colbert took a sharp jab at former President Donald Trump in an animated holiday special titled “Colbert’s Canceled Christmas: The Last Noel.” The segment, aired on The Late Show on December 12, 2023, presents a satirical take on Trump’s perceived attempts to undermine festive cheer, depicting him as “King Jag Bag.”

The animated video features Nick Offerman as the narrator, who describes Trump’s actions as he cancels Christmas and sends Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the North Pole. The storyline escalates as Trump supposedly destroys Santa’s workshop to construct a new ballroom and imprisons Santa in a fictional place named Alligator Elfcatraz. Offerman’s narration adds a humorous yet cutting tone, remarking, “No inch of that fellow was nice, kind, or thankful.”

As the plot unfolds, Santa and his elves find themselves locked up alongside characters from Sesame Street in a cell once occupied by “Donald Trump’s best and only friend Jeffrey Elfstein.” In this predicament, they discover the “Elfstein list,” which Santa hopes to use to take down Trump. When his efforts fail, a host of beloved children’s characters appear, belittling Santa and empowering him to send Trump back to the White House.

Colbert has adopted a bold stance against Trump following CBS’s announcement in July 2023 that The Late Show would conclude in May 2026. During a live audience event, Colbert expressed his determination to speak freely about Trump, stating, “I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump starting right now. I don’t really care for him. Doesn’t seem to have the skill set to be president. Just not a good fit.”

In November 2023, Colbert addressed the unexpected cancellation of his show. While he refrained from directly attributing CBS’s decision to political pressure from the Trump administration, he noted, “It’s a reasonable thing to think.” His comments reflect a growing sentiment among some in the entertainment industry regarding the influence of political dynamics on media narratives.

The animated Christmas special blends satire with social commentary, showcasing Colbert’s willingness to confront controversial figures through humor. As the holiday season approaches, Colbert’s latest work serves as both entertainment and a critique of political figures who, in his view, threaten the spirit of goodwill.