Late-night comedians Kimmel and Colbert spark curiosity with their comedic critique of Trump’s medical transparency using Kamala Harris’s health records. Colbert showcased a medical report from Harris that stated she is in “excellent health.” Colbert believed this was a jab at Trump. He also showcased short clips of Trump that indicated cognitive decline.
Comedic Commentary on Health Records
Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert recently shifted focus from Kamala Harris’s plagiarism claims to her pristine health report to critique former President Donald Trump’s medical transparency. Harris released a health report stating she is in “excellent health,” which prompted Colbert to humorously suggest that the report takes a subtle jab at Trump. They skillfully used the report’s details to elevate Harris’s profile while humorously critiquing Trump.
Colbert, on his show, jokingly noted Harris’s ability to perform everyday tasks, quipping, “They should follow that up with ‘can walk up stairs’ and ‘is potty trained.’” This satirical commentary highlighted the contrasts between Harris and Trump, focusing on the former president’s reluctance to release his medical records—a common target for late-night humor.
Stephen Colbert chides Kamala Harris for her clean bill of health: "politicians are supposed to be relatable to Americans!" #KamalaHarris #Colbert pic.twitter.com/0IhnDhNUMN
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) October 15, 2024
Kimmel’s Cognitive Test Challenge
Kimmel further skewered Trump’s lack of transparency, humorously suggesting a cognitive test challenge between Trump and Harris as a potential pay-per-view event, emphasizing his willingness to provide entertaining solutions to serious political discussions.
Kimmel quipped, “The guy who’s up in the middle of the night reading tweets about himself, wants to give someone else a cognitive test.” This joke underlined the perceived irony in Trump’s demands for others’ cognitive evaluations.
“The late-night host further stated that the whole world watched Harris “ace that test when she handed you your tangerine a** in the debate, but … I’m all for it,” Jimmy Kimmel stated.
Colbert took a lighter approach by contrasting Harris’s healthy habits with average American behaviors, aiming to use humor to pinpoint discrepancies in leadership health disclosures. “Do you really want to see his X-rays?” joked Colbert, further engaging the audience in a scenario involving Trump’s potential health revelations, maintaining his humorous critique of the former president’s opaque medical record policy.
"He used to really like me. I'm not sure exactly why. And I broke his little heart." Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah talk hosting late night and being squatters in Trump's head. pic.twitter.com/a5CptiyhUE
— LateNighter (@latenightercom) October 16, 2024
The Bigger Picture in Late-Night Comedy
Harris’s doctor attested to her competence for presidential duties, detailing her mental and physical resilience in her official record—a context Kimmel and Colbert leveraged to challenge Trump’s clear preference for secrecy regarding his health. Colbert and Kimmel humorously underscored Trump’s missing transparency with his cognitive health and tax records, further accentuating the comedic commentary on political transparency.
“According to a letter from Harris’s physician, ‘She possesses the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the presidency, to include those as chief executive, head of state and commander in chief.’ Yeah! That’s impressive. That’s a hell of a doctor’s note. After my last physical, Dr. Shaker just wrote, ‘Can continue to host “The Late Show,” maybe sit down for monologue?’” Colbert jokingly said.
Beyond mere entertainment, their segments push a discussion about health standard transparency for public officials. These comedic acts urge a heavier emphasis on honesty from those vying for public trust and maintain the sharp criticism characteristic of late-night comedy.
