Colbert Says He’s Stress Eating
CBS’s Stephen Colbert gave fans an unexpectedly candid look at his reaction to President-elect Donald Trump’s victory on Monday, admitting he’s been turning to food for comfort amid post-election stress.
Colbert joked that he was dealing with the election results by planning to either get “super jacked” or “super fat,” though he acknowledged the latter might be more likely given his weekend of stress-fueled cooking.
Among his creations were a Tuscan white bean soup, roasted cauliflower in coconut milk, and an indulgent almond bread pudding—a culinary lineup that doubled as a humorous coping mechanism for Colbert and his audience alike.
Colbert’s response fits into a wider trend of high-profile figures on the left grappling with Trump’s win in 2024. During the campaign, Colbert used his CBS platform to criticize Trump and rally support for then-candidate Kamala Harris, going as far as to share a beer with Harris during a segment intended to boost her public appeal.
“Elections, I think, are won on vibes,” Colbert remarked, suggesting that likability could sway voters—a sentiment he tested by offering Harris the chance to join him in a casual, beer-sharing moment on set. Yet, as the election results proved, the “vibes” campaign didn’t resonate widely enough to stop Trump’s victory.
This isn’t the first time Hollywood and late-night media personalities have found themselves reeling in the aftermath of a Trump win. Colbert’s late-night peer Jimmy Kimmel became emotional on his own ABC show, appearing close to tears over the election outcome.
Meanwhile, rapper Cardi B, a vocal supporter of Kamala Harris, expressed her frustration over Trump’s win in a now-deleted social media post, saying that Trump-supporting states “be getting hurricanes” in apparent frustration and disbelief over the result.
Colbert’s humorous and somewhat self-deprecating approach stands in contrast to some of his contemporaries’ more emotional responses, offering audiences a lighter take on navigating disappointment. The reactions of Colbert, Kimmel, and others reflect a mix of frustration, disbelief, and attempts to find a sense of normalcy as the entertainment industry processes the political shift.
Colbert’s shift from political commentary to a playful focus on food and puppies, after months of intense election coverage, is perhaps a welcome breather for fans who tune in not just for his political wit but for his humor and levity in challenging times.