Stephen Colbert makes a 'Jaws' reference to mock ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy for agreeing to rule that ended tenure
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Stephen Colbert didn't hold back as he took aim at Rep Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif) for pointing fingers at Democrats following his ouster from House speakership.
Colbert highlighted a crucial moment in January when GOP lawmakers secured McCarthy's agreement to a rule allowing any member to motion to vacate the speaker's chair.
Stephen Colbert uses 'Jaws' to poke fun at McCarthy
Playing a clip of McCarthy blaming Democrats, Colbert criticized the move, likening it to handing a razor to the most unpredictable members of the MAGA mob.
Colbert started his monologue by saying, "Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy seen here saying ‘hello monster.com’ after just nine months of sucking at his job. McCarthy was stripped of the gavel by eight members of his own party. To make it even worse, this all happened - and this is true - on National Kevin Day”.
Colbert then questioned McCarthy's accountability, stating, "And you’re blaming the Democrats?"
In a creative twist, Colbert compared McCarthy's remarks to an "iconic scene" from 'Jaws' and edited a clip of Quint's death in the film to mirror the political situation.
Colbert inserted the line, "This was a political decision from the Democrats," as the shark hunter gets dragged underwater.
Internet joins Colbert to mock McCarthy
Stephen Colbert's signature humor sparked several comments online. “Republicans are either too busy getting indicted or tearing into each other. I love it," a comment read.
Another said, 'Stephen I'm so so pleased that you're back and that the writers were successful in their strikes. Absorbing the nonsense of the American political landscape is made all the more palatable with your humour."
Completely agreeing with Colbert's monologue, someone said, "I literally draw a breath of intoxicating joy and let out a sigh of serene relief (and satisfying laughter) as I see and hear Stephen Colbert deliver his opening monologue (thank you to all the brilliant writers...you deserve everthing and more!)."
"McCarthy be like..Why didn’t the people I betray help me when the people I trusted betrayed me ?" another commented.
Kevin McCarthy ousted from House Speakership in pivotal vote
In a surprising turn of events, Rep Kevin McCarthy faced a swift removal from House speakership on October 3 through a resolution proposed by Rep Matt Gaetz (R-Fla).
The House of Representatives voted 216 to 210, with a majority of lawmakers, including Democrats and some Republicans, supporting the resolution to declare the speaker's office vacant.
I will not seek to run again for Speaker of the House. I may have lost a vote today, but I fought for what I believe in—and I believe in America. It has been an honor to serve. https://t.co/4EMpOuwtzy
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) October 3, 2023
This unprecedented use of a parliamentary mechanism from the early 1900s marks a historic moment, leaving the House in the hands of an acting speaker and raising concerns about Republican unity and the House's functionality.
The unexpected fall from power for McCarthy was partly triggered by recent negotiations to keep the government open over the weekend.