Fox News Latest Headlines
'Illicit' version of fentanyl linked to deadly New Mexico incident that sickened first responders
Authorities on Friday identified the mystery substance that hospitalized more than a dozen first responders after they responded to a New Mexico home where three people died in a suspected overdose incident.
Officials said first responders were exposed to fentanyl after arriving at a home in Mountainair, New Mexico, where four people were found unresponsive.
Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third later died at the University of New Mexico Hospital. A fourth person survived.
"Preliminary findings indicate this incident is tied to exposure to a powdered opioid substance within the home, and on-scene DEA laboratory analysis has confirmed the presence of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and para-fluorofentanyl, also called P4 fentanyl," New Mexico State Police Chief Matt Broom said during a news conference.
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY IN CRIME-RIDDEN COUNTY
"It’s a more illicit form or version of fentanyl," he added.
Authorities said the drugs were found in powder form.
Officials said 25 people were exposed to the substance, with 20 hospitalized for treatment before being released.
ROBERT DE NIRO’S GRANDSON’S OVERDOSE DEATH LEADS TO FIVE ARRESTS
Two individuals remain hospitalized after arriving in serious condition, police said.
Authorities identified two of the people who died as Micah Rascon, 51, and Georgia Rascon, 49.
Both the survivor and one of the deceased were administered the overdose medication Narcan.
FENTANYL EXPOSURE SCARE FORCES COURTROOM EVACUATION DURING ACTIVE TRIAL
Authorities said numerous first responders began experiencing symptoms including nausea and dizziness.
"These men and women responded to a dangerous situation while working to protect lives and secure the scene," Broom said. "We especially recognize the first responders who became sick while carrying out their duties."
Torrance County Fire Chief Gary Smith said firefighters did not enter the home wearing hazmat protection because the situation did not initially appear to require it.
He added officials would review the response procedures moving forward.
"I mean, we’re only as good as our last call, right?" Smith said. "There’ll be multiple debriefings that we’re going to be doing over the next week or two to find out where our strengths were and where our weaknesses were."
The incident remains under investigation.
High school teacher who allegedly had sex with student in closet now faces charges involving more teens
A 25-year-old high school teacher who was arrested earlier this month for allegedly having sex with a student, now faces additional charges and is accused of engaging in improper conduct with several more students, according to arrest records.
Maris Nicols, 25, was arrested on Thursday on multiple charges, including grooming of a minor, sexual assault and child molestation.
Nicols, who previously taught at Alexander High School in Douglas County, is now accused of sex crimes involving six teenagers, FOX 5 reported, citing court documents.
She was first arrested earlier this month, accused of having sex with one student twice: in a school closet and in a Hummer parked in a driveway.
HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER ARRESTED IN ALLEGED SEX CASE INVOLVING TEEN STUDENT
Her bond was set at $74,000, and she had bonded out by Friday, according to the station.
Nicols is now accused of sending nude photos and videos of herself, including masturbating with a sex toy while on a live video chat with at least two teens under 16, FOX 5 reported.
She also allegedly sent text messages to two male students describing sex acts she wanted them to perform on her, and sent nude photos to a female student and encouraged her to watch the movie "Fifty Shades of Grey."
MORE THAN 300 ARRESTED IN SPRAWLING CALIFORNIA CRACKDOWN ON CHILD EXPLOITATION CRIMES
Nicols also allegedly had sex with another student in the back of his truck at a golf club.
In a letter to parents, The Douglas County School System previously said it was "deeply troubled" by the allegations.
"Upon learning of the alleged misconduct, the district immediately launched an investigation," the letter sent after Nichols’ first arrest earlier this month said. "The Douglas County School System will continue to cooperate fully with state and local law enforcement. The district cannot provide additional information regarding the allegations. Any further inquiries should be directed to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office."
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
Casino boss defends closure of iconic Primm resorts amid backlash from founding family
The CEO behind the company shutting down a group of iconic Nevada casino properties has defended the decision, telling gaming regulators the once-popular gambling stop is no longer financially sustainable.
Primm, Nevada, was once home to three bustling properties long viewed as affordable alternatives to Las Vegas, just across the California-Nevada border.
This month, it was announced that the last of the three hotels, Primm Valley Resort & Casino, is scheduled to close July 4. That closure is expected to eliminate 344 jobs, according to Fox 5 Las Vegas.
CASINO RESORTS IN NEVADA LOCATION, ONCE PACKED, BECOME GHOST TOWN AS CLOSURE NEARS
Affinity Interactive CEO Scott Butera told the Gaming Control Board on Thursday that Primm is "just not viable as a casino operation," the Nevada Independent reported.
The executive cited ongoing financial losses and unsuccessful investment efforts as reasons for the closure.
"It’s been losing money, and we’ve been investing a lot of money over the years to no avail," Butera said. "We’ve tried many things there, including building a new sign and new slot machines."
Butera was pressed by Mike Dreitzer, the Gaming Control Board chair, who told him the board was monitoring the situation "with grave concern for the community."
LAS VEGAS TOURISM DROPS SHARPLY AS SOME VISITORS CLAIM 'CASINOS ARE EMPTY' AMID RISING COSTS
"This is of critical importance to the state, and good faith is not only requested, but it's required," said Dreitzer, the Nevada Independent reported.
Butera said Affinity is "working very closely with the landlord," and cited a "potential suitor" who might revitalize the property.
"We're hoping that we'll have a transition on the property, but we are exiting as the tenant," he said.
Affinity Interactive and its principal owner, New York-based private equity firm Z Capital, have leased and operated the Primm properties for nearly 15 years.
The closure drew criticism from the Primm family.
Cory Clemetson, president of Primm's landowner group and grandson of town founder Ernie Primm, denounced the decision to close in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
"If the Primm properties go dark, so does the welcome they have provided over the decades," Clemetson said.
"It is contrary to our values to let that happen without exploring all options," he said.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES
Clemetson added that he and his family are working "tirelessly" to explore ways to revive the Primm properties.
"Be assured that we’re working toward a revitalized Primm and a return to better days," Clemetson said.
The first two casino hotels to shut down — Whiskey Pete's and Buffalo Bill's Resort & Casino — closed in December 2024 and scaled back to special-event operations in July 2025.
Primm has seen "a slow decline" in the past 15 to 20 years, an expert told Fox News Digital earlier in May.
"A lot of people used to stop there," said Amanda Belarmino, an associate professor of hospitality at UNLV.
"Since casinos are more readily accessible, Primm lost some of that appeal."
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
Fox News Digital reached out to Affinity Interactive for reaction to Butera's comments.
Teresa Mull of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
Military families demand DOJ distribute nearly $800M from French cement company found guilty of bribing ISIS
In November 2017, Chief Petty Officer Kenton Stacy was injured in Raqqa, Syria while clearing the second floor of a hospital that ISIS had booby trapped with explosives.
Now a quadriplegic, Stacy, his wife Lindsey, and their 4 children are part of a lawsuit brought by military families against the French cement company, Lafarge, recently found guilty by a French Court of paying millions of dollars in bribes to ISIS to keep their factory open in ISIS-controlled territory in Syria.
"I mean, they were essentially funneling money to fund terrorists and ISIS and all these heinous crimes and evil acts," Lindsey Stacy told Fox News while standing by the side of her husband, the former Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialist, who just had another surgery to deal with injuries sustained in Syria 9 years ago.
"It's very overwhelming, Kenton struggles mentally and physically with his own battles and the kids and I. We have our own struggles," she continued. "It's hard to juggle, especially when our oldest son has cerebral palsy, and he requires his own 24-7 care."
SENATORS CALL ON BIDEN TO BRIEF UPPER CHAMBER ON EFFORTS TO RETURN AUSTIN TICE FROM SYRIA
President Trump praised Stacy's service to the nation in his 2018 State of the Union Address to Congress. Army Staff Sergeant Justin Peck bounded into a booby-trapped building to rescue Kenton and then gave him more than 2 hours of CPR while medics worked to save his life.
"Kenton Stacy would have died if not for Justin’s selfless love for a fellow warrior. Tonight, Kenton is recovering in Texas. Raqqa is liberated.…All of America salutes you."
In a landmark ruling in April, a French court convicted Lafarge, the world’s largest cement manufacturer, of providing material support to a terror group and sentenced its former CEO to 6 years in prison. Eight former Lafarge employees were found guilty. Lafarge is appealing.
The company acknowledged the court’s finding describing the issue as a "legacy matter," which was "in flagrant violation of Lafarge’s Code of Conduct."
Nearly 1,000 plaintiffs, most of them military families, are part of earlier litigation in the Eastern District of New York.
"They were killed in Syria by a gruesome terrorist organization that was funded in part by Lafarge. And that's not an allegation. That is undisputed fact. Lafarge pled guilty to doing that in 2022."
Todd Toral, the lawyer from Jenner & Block, is representing Stacy and about 25 other families.
Toral, who is also a US Marine, is seeking compensation for those families from the $777 million Lafarge paid to the Justice Department as part of the settlement. The DOJ has had that money since Oct 2022.
"I think the ruling by the court in France is significant generally, because it's the first time in many, many years that a corporation, and not just the corporation, but executives at a corporation have been held to account for their misconduct in aiding terrorism," Toral said in an interview with Fox.
In order to operate in ISIS-controlled areas of Syria, Lafarge paid more than $6.5 million to ISIS from 2013–2014 through its Syrian subsidiary to keep production facilities running. The cement produced at its factory in Jalabiya, a factory which was bought for $680 million months before the Syrian uprising began in 2011, was also used for tunnels and bunkers, which helped the terrorist group.
The lawsuit is significant because it marks the first time a company has faced U.S. charges for supporting a terrorist group.
DOJ ACCELERATES SETTLEMENT OFFERS IN CAMP LEJEUNE WATER CONTAMINATION CASES
In October 2022, Lafarge settled with the DOJ before the French ruling, paying more than $777 million into an asset forfeiture fund currently controlled by the DOJ, funds which are supposed to compensate victims of the ISIS attacks, many of them American Gold Star families, like Hailey Dayton, whose father was the first American killed by ISIS in Syria on Thanksgiving Day 2016.
"I was 15 when my dad was killed," Hailey Dayton told Fox from her home in Florida. "I saw six guys in Navy white step out of the van. I got so excited because I thought my dad came back to surprise us. I remember opening the door, huge smile on my face, and I was looking at the men, trying to find my dad and I didn't find, I didn't see him, but instead I saw six guys with tears in their eyes."
The Biden Justice Department denied requests to distribute the Lafarge funds while the case was still pending before a French Court. Lafarge was found guilty by that court in April. In February, Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., pressed then-Attorney General Pam Bondi on when the DOJ planned to release the funds to the families.
"In February 2025, my colleagues and I sent you a letter urging the department to review the petitions for remission submitted by the families of those fallen service members, including several of my constituents. The previous administration ignored these victims and our requests and left their petitions unresolved," Biggs asked Bondi during a Congressional hearing.
"Congressman, we are aware of that and we're committed to doing everything we can to support the victims and work with you. Thank you for that question," Bondi replied. That was more than a year ago and the DOJ has still not distributed the compensation funds.
Now the plaintiffs, most of them military families, say the decision to release the funds rests with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.
"I don't know why. I don't know why they're ignoring us. To me, it feels like being a pawn. My dad, he went in when he was 19, he served 23 years," Dayton, the Gol Star daughter of Chief Petty Officer Scott Dayton, said.
"To the current Department of Justice, I would, say, make things right."
Lindsey Stacy, who says she and her family have difficulty making ends meet given Kenton Stacy’s severe injuries, added, "There's a lot of families out there that could benefit from these funds. I mean, it's been almost nine years. It would be nice to, you know, for justice to be served."
FREEDOM ISN'T FREE: HONOR THOSE WHO NEVER CAME HOME ON THIS MEMORIAL DAY
"They have been convicted recently in their own country, guilty. It has been a long battle, but it'd be nice just for it to come to an end, get some closure and be able to just take care of our family," she added. "I mean he made a huge sacrifice for our country and it would just be nice if they'd stand right by us and all the other co-plaintiffs."
"We can think of no group of people who are more worthy of receiving compensation from that victim's compensation fund than these families who lost a son, lost a brother, lost a husband, and they deserve to be treated better by the United States of America," Toral, who continues to press his clients’ case said in an interview ahead of Memorial Day Weekend.
The Department of Justice, which controls the $777 million dollars in penalties forfeited by Lafarge, issued the following statement:
"The Department is committed to compensating all victims to the maximum extent permitted by law. While we cannot comment on a pending matter, the Department will always engage in the appropriate process to evaluate claims and ensure that our brave servicemembers receive any amount of compensation to which they are entitled."
Trump calls Kyle Busch a 'LEGEND' in Truth Social tribute after NASCAR champion's death at 41
The reactions and tributes to the tragic death of NASCAR superstar and two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch have been rolling in, and now there's one coming from the White House.
On Friday, the day after Busch's death at the age of 41 was announced, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to share his condolences.
"The LEGENDARY NASCAR Driver Kyle Busch tragically and unexpectedly passed away yesterday," the president wrote. "He was a true talent who loved NASCAR and its fans. Kyle was a WINNER! He was a two time Cup Champion, and holds the All Time Record for WINS in NASCAR’s Top Three series, and even won another just last weekend.
"Kyle’s wife, Samantha, and their two beautiful children are in our thoughts and prayers," he continued. "Samantha was at the White House in October, for IVF. She truly loved Kyle! Rest in Peace Kyle Busch. You will always be a LEGEND! President DONALD J. TRUMP"
TWO-TIME NASCAR CUP SERIES CHAMPION KYLE BUSCH TRAGICALLY DIES AT 41 AFTER HOSPITALIZATION
As the president alluded to, Busch and his wife, Samantha, have been advocates for IVF and founded the Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund in 2015. According to USA Today, the fund has distributed more than 150 awards totaling over $2 million.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
As for his ties to the White House, Busch visited 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 2016 and met with former President Barack Obama, who honored his 2015 NASCAR Cup Series championship.
Busch won his last of 234 wins in NASCAR's top-three series less than a week before his death in a Truck Series race at Dover International Speedway.
On Wednesday, Busch reportedly collapsed while testing in a racing simulator. He was taken to a hospital, and on Thursday, it was announced that he would not take part in any races this weekend, including the Coca-Cola 600, due to a "severe illness."
Just hours after that, it was announced that Busch had died.
Rhode Island teen already out on bail for weapons charge arrested in crowded beach stabbing
A Rhode Island teen who was already out on bail for a weapons offense has been arrested in connection with a stabbing at a crowded beach earlier this week that sent beachgoers fleeing in panic.
Willy Medina, 18, a resident of Pawtucket, was taken into custody Friday by the Rhode Island State Police. He will be turned over to the Narragansett Police Department.
He is charged with one count of felony assault and was arraigned Friday, Narragansett Police Chief Kyle Rekas said.
OUT-OF-CONTROL TEEN MOB IN DC REVEALS FAILURE OF BLUE CITY SOFT-ON-CRIME POLICIES
Authorities allege Medina was involved in a May 19 stabbing at Narragansett Town Beach as hundreds of teenagers packed the area. Police officers responded to the beach amid reports of a stabbing and found three people with minor stab wounds.
JERSEY SHORE BEACH TOWN UNLEASHES EXTREME TACTICS TO BURY VIRAL TEEN MAYHEM FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
No suspects were identified at the time. Rekas didn't specify how investigators linked Medina to the beach violence.
At the time, authorities said several other disturbances broke out as hundreds of people on the beach attempted to leave simultaneously, officials noted.
Two unidentified adults were arrested and charged with simple assault, resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice. Police noted those arrests did not appear to be related to the stabbings.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the violence.
At the time of the crime, Medina was out on bail for a separate incident in which he was charged with carrying a pistol without a license or permit, firing in a compact area, vandalism, and disorderly conduct.
Miley Cyrus dares to bare in sheer Versace dress as she's honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Miley Cyrus dared to bare while celebrating a major career milestone.
The 33-year-old singer and actress received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday and wore an eye-catching dress to accept the honor.
She posed for photos at the ceremony in a figure-hugging black Versace dress with a halter neckline, sheer cutouts and intricate web-like lace designs strategically placed to cover specific areas on her body.
Cyrus paired the look with minimal accessories, opting for a few bracelets and a ring, wearing her blonde hair straight, and choosing a dark smoky eye makeup look with natural lipstick.
MILEY CYRUS STUNS FANS IN DARING DRESS DURING NEW YORK ALBUM SIGNING
"What feels so special to me about this star is that it's an accumulation of devotion," Cyrus said in her speech, according to E! News. "The star isn't something that you win like a seasonal game. It's not something that you can chase or collect. It's not something you make the next record for and then tote it around like a trophy."
"My name is laid in gold and pink terrazzo," she added, "and it's fierce, and it's fun, and it's fabulous."
Joining Cyrus at the Walk of Fame ceremony was her fiancé, Maxx Morando, her mom, Tish, her sister, Brandi, designer Donatella Versace and actress Anya Taylor-Joy. Versace and Taylor-Joy spoke in honor of Cyrus during the ceremony.
During her speech, Taylor-Joy said Cyrus not only "outran every expectation" set in front of her by the world but also "challenged the rules, rewrote them and, every once in a while, set them on fire in a teddy bear costume."
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Cyrus first gained national attention when she was cast as the lead in the hit Disney Channel show, "Hannah Montana," when she was 13 years old. She went on to play the character for just over four years, even going on tour as the fictional character.
"'Hannah Montana' is the beginning for everything that I’ve been able to become — the person that I’ve been able become," Cyrus said at the Disney Legend Awards Ceremony in 2024. "She is such a part of me and taught me everything that I know."
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
After the show came to an end in 2011, Cyrus embarked on a successful music career as Miley Cyrus instead of Hannah Montana, releasing nine studio albums and winning three Grammy Awards.
Cyrus recently celebrated the show on its 20th anniversary, with the "Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special" on Disney Plus.
Russian hockey team wins second-straight championship, goalie immediately drops the trophy
If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: Russia's Kontinental Hockey League could not feel more like the bizarro NHL.
Over the years, we've had dogs attacking players after ceremonial faceoffs, dudes dropping cellphones on the ice and coaches with downright absurd haircuts.
Now, they've apparently got the heaviest trophy in all of sports, as evidenced by a goalie who tipped over as soon as he tried to lift it.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Teams in the KHL play for the Gagarin Cup, which is, of course, named after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.
CUSTOM TROPHIES CREATED FOR EVERY 2026 WORLD CUP MATCH IN MICHELOB ULTRA FIFA PARTNERSHIP
That's super badass, by the way. Hey, U.S. leagues, you've all missed the boat by not naming a trophy after an astronaut.
Anyway, this year's winner of the Gagarin Cup was Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, who defeated Ak Bars Kazan in Game 6 of the final to win their second straight championship.
Just like in the NHL with the Stanley Cup, players hand off the Gagarin Cup to each other and skate it around a little.
Well, when it was Lokomotiv Neminder Alexei Melnichuk's turn to skate the Gagarin Cup, he had a bit of an issue.
After swinging the Cup above his head, he seemed to underestimate just how heavy the trophy was, and at a certain point, gravity took over.
It was very cool of Melnichuk to use himself to break the Gagarin Cup's fall.
Fortunately, the trophy was still in one piece after that tumble, and I'm sure it was only about 20 minutes from being full of beer.
Or, let's be real, vodka.
Melnichuk played three games with the San Jose Sharks in his career, and the Lokomotiv roster has a few names that will be familiar to NHL fans.
Richard Panik, who played in more than 500 NHL games, is on the team, as is former Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars forward Alexander Radulov, who led the team in points this season.
At least 1 killed, 34 firefighters and EMS workers injured in 'major' Staten Island shipyard explosion: FDNY
A "major" explosion and fire at a Staten Island shipyard Friday afternoon left dozens of firefighters and first responders injured, and one civilian dead.
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) confirmed 34 people were taken to area hospitals.
Among those in the most serious condition are a fire marshal, a firefighter and a civilian.
The fire marshal reportedly suffered a brain bleed and remains in critical condition, officials said during a news briefing Friday evening.
NYC SEWAGE BOAT EXPLOSION IN HUDSON RIVER KILLS 1 CITY WORKER, INJURES 2 OTHERS
The incident unfolded when authorities received a call at 3:27 p.m. local time reporting workers trapped in a confined space at 3075 Richmond Terrace, between Lockman and Andros avenues.
When first responders arrived, they found smoke and a fire burning in the basement of a 150-by-150-foot metal building situated at the back of the shipping docks.
Two people were trapped, according to New York City Fire Department Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. No other people remain unaccounted for.
A second alarm was transmitted at 4:08 p.m., and just 11 minutes later, a "major explosion" tore through the site at 4:19 p.m.
HISTORIC NYC CHURCH ENGULFED IN 5-ALARM BLAZE AS 6 FIREFIGHTERS INJURED BATTLING STUBBORN FLAMES
The blast triggered a large fire and massive emergency response, with the FDNY deploying 68 units and 212 fire and EMS personnel to combat the blaze.
FDNY operations remain ongoing. New York City HazMat teams, the Department of Buildings (DOB) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) were notified.
New York Attorney General Letitia James reacted to the tragedy on X, noting she is praying for everyone injured in the fire.
"I’m praying for the @FDNY firefighters and everyone injured after the explosion in Staten Island today," James wrote in a post. "Thank you to the FDNY for their swift response and for protecting New Yorkers everyday."
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
The worst and most cringe-worthy moments from Stephen Colbert’s now-canceled 'Late Show'
Stephen Colbert’s run as host of CBS' "The Late Show" is done, and to that I say, "Good riddance!" Colbert took over a gold mine. A golden ticket. A wealth in terms of platform in late night television that he squandered due to his obsession on politically dividing the audience and eventually turning much of America away from tuning in to his show.
As Fox News contributor Joe Concha pointed out, CBS reportedly was operating "The Late Show" at a $40 million loss under Colbert. The show also employed 22 writers to craft Colbert’s liberal-leaning monologues, while featuring just one Republican guest over the past six years — and even that appearance came from former Rep. Liz Cheney.
The Media Research Center examined every "Late Show" joke since the start of 2023 and found that 87% targeted conservatives, while nearly every guest leaned liberal. According to the study, Colbert made 3,639 jokes about President Donald Trump from Jan. 3, 2023, through the eve of his final episode. By comparison, former President Joe Biden was the subject of 339 jokes, while former Vice President Kamala Harris was mentioned in just 21 jokes during that same span, according to the study.
If there is any question as to whether Colbert was just another left-wing political news outlet, just look at the farewell messages from The Democrats and many liberal politicians following his last night, which aired Thursday night.
STEPHEN COLBERT'S 'LATE SHOW' JOKES TARGETED CONSERVATIVES 87% OF TIME IN FINAL YEARS, STUDY SAYS
Colbert’s time as host of "The Late Show" was undoubtedly full of political activism, leftist propaganda, and many cringe-inducing and eye roll moments, as Joseph Wulfson also pointed out in his piece.
Here are some of the worst:
Vulgar Trump and Putin Gay Lover Joke
In May of 2017, Colbert’s opening monologue was focused on President Trump. I know, shocker. He mentioned, "It is day 102 of the Trump presidency, 1,358 days to go. But who’s counting?" He also joked about him lotioning up Miss USA Pageant participants, claimed he "attracts more skinheads than free Rogaine," and made a sexually explicit joke about Trump having gay oral sex with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
If you can stomach the ability to watch this 12 minutes of vitriol, cloaked as "comedy," you’ll probably leave thinking about this quote from Billy Madison:
"What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
USA TODAY CALLS STEPHEN COLBERT, AMERICA'S LEAST FUNNY COMEDIAN, A 'GALLANT COMIC AVENGER'
Vax-Scene
For many, this clip is what led to the complete and utter ruin of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert." After previously trying to comically tell his audience to be wary about Big Pharma potentially taking advantage of American citizens during a global pandemic, Colbert changed his tune (pun intended) and rolled out the cringiest piece of late night television propaganda many of us will ever see.
During COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, Colbert introduced a recurring segment called "The Vax-Scene," a broadway musical-esque dance number that included dancers dressed as syringes while parodying the 1958 smash hit "Tequila" by The Champs. Instead of saying "Tequila!" they shouted "Vaccine!"
As Joe Rogan once said about the bit, "Where’s the joke?" Just another unfunny piece of political propaganda devoid of any laughs whatsoever.
Bless your heart if you can get through this 80-second video. It’s time you’ll never get back, unfortunately.
MARK NORMAND SAYS LATE NIGHT IS 'DYING' — HOW THE STAND-UP COMIC KEEPS UP IN A CHANGING COMEDY SCENE
Pedro Pascal Kiss
Colbert frequently kissed guests on his show, male and female. It was awkward and at times seemed like a humiliation ritual more than some sort of comedy bit. One of those awkward smooches was in May when Pedro Pascal stopped by the show to promote the now abysmally rated Star Wars movie, "The Mandalorian and Grogu."
COLBERT'S FINAL YEAR MARKED BY ATTACKS ON TRUMP, LIBERAL TALKING POINTS AND CELEBS KISSING HIS RING
After Colbert introduced Pascal, the actor pointed to his lips, signaling that he wanted Colbert to kiss him. Colbert hesitated and then leaned in to kiss Pascal. Afterward Colbert shuffled around, unable to look at Pascal, and the crowd cheering, Pascal said, "I got jealous." Colbert responded, "No need. Any time."
Another wildly cringe moment that didn’t garner any real laughter.
Hunter Biden’s Laptop
In a cold open in October of 2020 titled "Rudy, the Russians, and Hunter’s Lappy Top," Colbert satirizes the Hunter Biden laptop story as a "laptop conspiracy" with a parody of "Rocky Top" by the Osborne Brothers. The song poked fun at Trump, his "lappy dog" Rudy Giuliani and musically claimed the whole story was "debunked claims of made-up kompromat."
GREG GUTFELD: LIBERAL MEDIA, COMEDIANS TOLD THE BIGGEST LIE IN THE HISTORY OF PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS
Once again, Colbert claimed a Russian connection between Trump and the Russian government, calling it disinformation, aligning with narratives from multiple liberal media outlets ahead of the 2020 election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
And of course, as explained in the Twitter Files, Twitter prevented users from sharing links to the New York Post article about Hunter Biden's laptop. Meta, which includes Facebook, also throttled the story's reach on their platforms, leading to many conservatives rightfully calling it election interference.
Sorry I wasted your time with another unfunny video, but if I have to relive these awful moments of Colbert’s tenure, I need people to suffer with me.
Colbert tenure wasn’t just disappointing for ratings and revenue, it was a disaster. A complete liberal dumpster fire that exchanged laughs for insults. Comedy for compromise. Satire for political snickering. It was simply left-wing political theater and a liberal vent session rather than late night comedy.
When Johnny Carson left, he was genuinely missed. It was actually an emotional last show, unlike Colbert’s exit. Johnny Carson repeatedly expressed that he believed late-night hosts should primarily entertain people, not preach politics to them. "Why do they think just because you have a 'Tonight Show' that you must deal in serious issues? It’s a danger. It’s a real danger once you start that… You could sway people, and I don’t think you should as an entertainer," Carson said in a 1979 interview on "60 Minutes" with Mike Wallace.
Carson also intentionally avoided publicly revealing many of his own political views because he thought it would alienate half the audience. Seems prophetic, doesn’t it? According to his longtime friend Howard Smith, "He felt that his job was to entertain people… That’s why he never got into talking about politics at all."
JOHNNY CARSON'S FRIEND SAYS LATE-NIGHT KING WISELY AVOIDED PARTISANSHIP, AS KIMMEL CONTROVERSY GROWS
If Colbert took the Carson route, he’d probably still be on air and the majority of America wouldn’t view him with the disdain they have for him now.
So long Colbert, and don’t you dare bring your political propaganda into your scriptwriting for your new "Lord of the Rings" movie. If you aren’t going to respect conservatives, at least respect J.R.R. Tolkien and his source material.