On Monday, late-night television hosts Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers launched a sharp critique of the Democratic Party following its decision to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history by voting with Republicans. The bipartisan agreement, which came after eight Democratic senators joined the GOP on a deal to reopen the government, sparked outrage among comedians who accused the party of backtracking on its earlier stance. Stewart called the move a major betrayal, while Colbert mocked the Democrats for their apparent shift in priorities, emphasizing that the shutdown, though prolonged, had ultimately failed to achieve its intended goals. Kimmel and Meyers also criticized the Democratic leadership, suggesting that the decision was an unexpected capitulation to the Trump administration’s pressure, despite the party’s recent electoral successes. The decision has also ignited a civil war within the Democratic caucus, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer facing calls for his removal over the party’s sudden change in strategy.
The resolution was passed after a tense standoff, with Democrats having initially demanded an ironclad deal on expiring Obamacare subsidies before agreeing to reopen the government. However, that deal never materialized, and instead, the eight Democratic senators from the party’s caucus took the offer that Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has made since the beginning — a guarantee to vote on legislation that would deal with the subsidies. The Senate officially passed the revamped continuing resolution late Monday night, which would reopen the government until January 3, 2021, and includes a reversal of the Trump administration’s firing of furloughed federal workers, a deal to ensure that furloughed workers would get back pay and future protections for federal workers during shutdowns.
Comedians like Stewart, who typically used humor to address political issues, expressed frustration with the Democratic Party’s decision, noting that they had previously stood firm against the Trump administration’s policies. Stewart exclaimed, “I can’t f—ing believe it!” echoing the frustration of many Americans who had endured the prolonged shutdown. Colbert, on the other hand, quipped, “Yes, the shutdown may have been long and painful for millions of Americans, but at least it achieved jack squat.” Both Stewart and Colbert highlighted the perceived hypocrisy of the Democratic Party, as they had previously condemned the shutdown but now found themselves in a position of compromise.
Meanwhile, Meyers criticized Democrats for buckling under pressure from the Trump administration, despite the party’s recent electoral victories. He questioned why they had turned to the Republican side in their dealings with the President, suggesting that the decision was an admission of defeat. Kimmel also voiced his anger, joking about Chuck Schumer’s apparent ability to