On August 2, 2016, during an installment of his “Werd” segment on The Late Show, Stephen Colbert creatively addressed the political landscape, particularly focusing on Donald Trump. Colbert, known for his satirical approach, utilized on-screen graphics and euphemisms to deliver his commentary, playfully injecting profanity into the broadcast.
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“Werd”: A New Format for Satire
Colbert introduced “Werd” as a new segment, a successor to his iconic “The Word” from The Colbert Report. This shift was prompted by legal challenges from CBS, which aimed to prevent the show from using characters and segments made famous by the previous program. Colbert ingeniously introduced an identical twin cousin to the original Stephen Colbert, who then hosted the “Werd” segment, allowing for a continuation of his signature satirical style.
The “P.O.S.” Acronym Explained
A key moment in the “Werd” segment involved Colbert referring to Donald Trump as a “P.O.S.” He then humorously clarified that this acronym stood for “part of society.” This rhetorical device allowed Colbert to express a critical sentiment while maintaining a veneer of plausible deniability, a hallmark of his comedic approach.
Commentary on Trump’s Campaign
Colbert’s “P.O.S.” remark was part of a broader commentary on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. He echoed sentiments previously expressed by John Oliver, noting how Trump’s consistent stream of outrageous statements seemed to desensitize the public to his rhetoric. Colbert observed that each new, more extreme statement often overshadowed and effectively “fixed” the impact of previous ones, a phenomenon he termed “Trumpiness.”
The segment highlighted Colbert’s ability to use humor as a tool for political critique, dissecting the nature of political discourse and the impact of controversial figures on public perception. The playful use of acronyms and euphemisms served to engage the audience while delivering a sharp, albeit veiled, criticism of the political climate.
