Jimmy Kimmel | Abuse Of Powell

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show With Stephen Colbert

Episode: Jimmy Kimmel | Abuse Of Powell
Air Date: January 13, 2026

---

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show, hosted by Stephen Colbert, delivers the signature comedic and satirical late-night take on recent political developments involving Donald Trump’s attacks on Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. The episode addresses the dangerous politicization of America’s economic institutions, global power grabs, and lightens the mood with a whimsical segment about monkeys on the loose. The conversation transitions to a fun and revealing interview with late-night peer Jimmy Kimmel, who participates in the playful “Colbert Questionnaire.”

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trump’s “Abuse of Powell” and Politicization of the Federal Reserve

• Trump's Power Grab Parodied:
  Colbert opens by sarcastically comparing Donald Trump to Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, mocking the president’s attempt to seize influence over the Federal Reserve by targeting Jerome Powell for criminal investigation.
• Independence of the Fed:
  Trump’s ongoing demands for Powell to lower interest rates and the recent Justice Department criminal probe into Powell are lampooned as direct authoritarian encroachments:

  “Just a direct attack on our independent monetary system which props up the global economy.” (01:42)

• Powell’s “Hostage Video”:
  Colbert mocks the typically dry Powell’s public statement under duress, imagining what it would sound like if Powell were even more “spicy.”
• Expert Alarm:
  Colbert cites an open letter from former Fed chairs warning about Trump’s intimidation tactics:

  “Pressuring Powell with criminal charges is, ‘how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions, with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly.’ The letter was signed by every living former Fed chair.” (03:29)

2. Trump's Global Role-Playing & Oil Industry Antics

• Declaring Himself President of Venezuela:
  Trump’s online antics—including dubbing himself “acting President of Venezuela” via Wikipedia—are skewered alongside a roll call of other outlandish assumed titles and awards.

  “On Wikipedia. In addition, Trump declared himself Miss Iowa in 1966, J.D. Power and Associates’ best mid sized sedan…” (05:08)

• Awkward Oil Exec Meeting:
  Trump’s attempt to coerce oil executives into pledging $100 billion for Venezuela is satirized, highlighting a bizarre exchange with Exxon’s CEO, and a comical moment with Marco Rubio’s note-passing:

  “Marco just gave me a note. Go back to Chevron. They want to discuss something. Go ahead. I’m going back to Chevron.” (07:37)

3. Comic Relief: The Monkey Emergency

• Monkeys on the Loose in St. Louis:
  Lightening the political heaviness, Colbert reports on loose vervet monkeys, poking fun at local authorities’ inability to nail down their number:

  “The number of monkeys is as many as four, but certainly more than one.” (10:32)

• Local Wisdom:
  A highlight from local advice on the situation:

  “Make sure your door’s locked, ’cause the monkeys are loose.” (11:41)

---

Interview Segment: The Colbert Questionnaire with Jimmy Kimmel

Start: ~[12:49]

Revealing Jimmy Kimmel’s Personality through Lighthearted Questions

• On Their Relationship:

  Colbert: "You're a dear friend. We've gone fishing together."
  Kimmel (deadpan): "We made love." (12:54)

• Best Sandwich

  Kimmel: “When I was in high school...fresh bread, cold roast beef, Italian dressing, lettuce and tomato inside...still, in my mind, the best sandwich I’ve ever had.” (13:50)

• First Concert

  Kimmel: “Sammy Davis Jr....We went and hung out in his dressing room afterwards. I was too polite to eat any [potato chips]...even though I wanted them very much.” (14:57)

• Scariest Animal

  Kimmel: “Mosquito...because we know they kill more people than sharks and bears and all that stuff. And they're also just so annoying.” (15:30)

• Apples or Oranges

  Kimmel: “I eat an apple every day.” (15:53)

• Autograph Sought as a Kid

  Kimmel: “I asked Steve Garvey, my favorite baseball player, for his autograph...on a keno ticket.”
  “My sister scribbled in crayon on it ‘I love you’ all over it...probably the maddest I ever was at anyone.” (16:19)

• What Happens When We Die

  Kimmel: “There’s just a positive energy field that you become part of. That’s what I think it is.” (16:51)

• Favorite Action Movie

  Kimmel: “That Batman movie that Christian Bale was in with the Joker...not a huge action movie guy, but I think I’d go with that one.” (17:19)

• Window or Aisle Seat

  Kimmel: “Window. I have narcolepsy...I’ll lean my face against that cool window and I am asleep in no time.” (17:49)

• Favorite Smell

  Kimmel: “Garlic and olive oil.” (18:00)

• Least Favorite Smell

  Kimmel: “When people leave their shirts in the dryer wet and then they wear them to work...that mildew smell.” (18:11)

• Earliest Memory

  Kimmel: “I found this little triangular rock...and I wished for a dog. Then we went to the mall and bought a dog that we named Fluffy." (18:50-19:26)

• Cats or Dogs

  Kimmel: “Dogs, for sure...We have a dog named Todd.” (19:33)

• One Song for Life

  Kimmel: "'Do You Believe in Love' by Huey Lewis and the News is my favorite song." (20:00)

• Number Stephen Is Thinking Of

  Kimmel tries to guess, jokes: “You know what I saw when I looked in your eyes? Betrayal.” (20:45)

• Describe the Rest of Your Life in Five Words

  Kimmel: “Fat, sleepy, lazy, slightly drunk.” (21:03)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Powell Investigation:

  “If you would just excuse me...let’s liquidate all my holdings and move it into bronze weaponry and fertile goats.” – Colbert, (01:49)

• On Monkeys:

  “Lock up your daughters. Cause they're all going to fall in love with the monkeys. Girls love them bad boys. And ladies, there's as many as four, but certainly more than one.” – Colbert, (11:43)

• On Life After Death:

  Kimmel: “There’s just a positive energy field that you become part of. That’s what I think it is.” (16:51)

• On the Five-Word Life Summary:

  Kimmel: “Fat, sleepy, lazy, slightly drunk.” (21:03)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening Monologue - Abuse of Powell/Trump & Fed: 00:15 – 11:30
• Monkey Emergency Segment: 10:14 – 12:03
• Colbert Questionnaire with Jimmy Kimmel: 12:49 – 21:13

---

Tone and Structure

The episode maintains the signature Late Show style: sharply satirical, witty, and quick-moving, deftly blending political commentary with absurdity and warmth. The chemistry and inside-joking between Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel is friendly, mischievous, and revealing, offering listeners both laughs and glimpses of the personalities behind the late-night personas.

---

For the Listener

This episode is a must for fans of sharp political comedy and those who enjoy behind-the-scenes glimpses of major late-night hosts. Colbert's breakdown of the Powell/Trump saga is both biting and illuminating, while Kimmel's answers range from touching to hilarious. The banter between the two is as entertaining as their monologues—and the monkeys on the loose are just the cherry on top.

Transcript

[A]

Well, the holidays have come and gone once again.

[B]

But if you've forgotten to get that.

[A]

Special someone in your life a gift, well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless. So here's the idea. You get it now, you call it.

[B]

An early present for next year.

[A]

What do you have to lose? Give it a [e-mail] Switch limited time, 50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required $45 for 3 months, $90 for 6 month or $180 for 12 month. Plan taxes and fees. Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy. See terms. Welcome one and all to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. You know, folks, I know, I know, I criticize him a lot. But even I have to admit today is the day that Donald Trump finally became President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe because he is crazy and inconveniently all powerful. His latest move, attempting to take control of the United States Central Bank. You see for months some Federal Reserve fans tonight. For months, Trump has been raging at Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, seen here realizing his puppet has been stolen. Trump has repeatedly demanded that Powell lower interest rates. But Powell has refused because the Fed established to act on behalf of the American people independent of political considerations.

[B]

Also.

[A]

Also because math. And in what's probably a coincidence, over the weekend, Trump's Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into Jerome Powell. Okay, nothing to worry about. Nothing to worry about. Just a direct attack on our independent monetary system which props up the global economy. If you would just excuse me for just a moment here. Hold on. Hey, Craig. Yeah. Let's liquidate all my holdings and move it into bronze weaponry and fertile goats. Thanks very much. This is so bad that last night, Powell, a man known for being extremely careful about any public statements, release this hostage video.

[B]

Good evening. On Friday, the Department of justice served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas threatening a criminal indictment. The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public rather than.

[A]

Following the preferences of the president. Well said, sir. Dryly said, like if words were beef jerky snap into a slim Jerome. But. But well said nonetheless. Again, as you can tell, even in a moment of crisis like this, Powell is a very serious man. That video is as hair on fire as he ever gets. You should hear him talk dirty. Good evening, madam. Tonight I served you an assortment of cheeses from Trader Joe's with a light Pinot Grigio. This was intended as a pretty preamble to removing our clothing. Then based on our common best assessment of what would serve both our genitals. Going to pound town. Thank you, Powell. Pretty spicy. Pretty spicy stuff. Powell being charged by the Trump administration set off alarm bells everywhere. This morning we got an open letter from top economic policy experts saying that pressuring Powell with criminal charges is, quote, how monetary policy is made in emerging markets with weak institutions with highly negative consequences for inflation and the functioning of their economies more broadly. The letter was signed by every living former Fed chair. Okay, but what do they know about money? Have they ever correctly identified a giraffe on a cognitive test? Huh? Huh? Have they?

[B]

Have they?

[A]

Do we know? We don't know. The charges against Powell were brought by Trump's hand picked U.S. attorney for D.C. former Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro, seen here ordering a martini at the post office. Dry. Dry. What is the terrible crime Piro's office accuses Powell of committing? They say he lied to Congress about the scope of the renovation of the Fed's Washington headquarters. Okay, it seems kind of ridiculous to accuse Powell of being a spendthrift on this renovation or really anything because, and this is true, based on our extensive research, he only owns one tie. This is not, it's not just. It's a good title. Very attractive. Whatcha, whatcha, whatcha want? It's not just the United States. Trump is also destroying the world. Over the weekend he posted a Wikipedia screengrab declaring himself, quote, acting President of Venezuela. Hey, it's on Wikipedia. In addition, Trump declared himself Miss Iowa in 1966. J.D. power and Associates, best mid sized sedan in initial customer satisfaction and the world's largest ball of twine on Friday, it's worth the visit. They keep it under a gazebo now on Friday, the new all powerful self appointed President of Venezuela demanded that every oil executive be bathed and brought to his tent. So they did. In the White House Cabinet Room, he told the oil companies that they were going to spend $100 billion to rebuild Venezuela's oil infrastructure. This was apparently news to Exxon CEO who called Venezuela uninvestable. So later on Air Force One, Trump was pretty PO'd at Exxon. No, I didn't like Exxon's response. You know, we have so many that want and I'd probably be inclined to keep Exxon out. I didn't like their response. They're playing too cute is the notoriously cute Global resource extraction Corporation known as Exxon.

[B]

You know.

[A]

You know their slogan when you think of US Technically, you do think of baby ducks. Yeah, yeah, I agree. That's a tough one. That's a tough one. That's why there was also an awkward moment where Marco Rubio tried to discreetly give Trump a note, and Trump totally blew us up. All right, thank you. You'll make it back. One way or the other. You're all going to do very well, I think. Really very well. Marco just gave me a note. Go back to Chevron. They want to discuss something. Go ahead. I'm going back to Chevron.

[B]

Mark. Thank you, Marco.

[A]

Okay, okay, okay. Hold on. Looks like Marco gave me another note. It says, do not read these notes out loud. It makes you look. And thank you, Marco, for this. It makes you look mentally incompetent. Thank you. Thank you, Marco. Chevron, your thoughts on that? Of course, this wouldn't be a Trump led meeting without the weird. We have many others that were not able to get in. I said if we had a ballroom, we'd have over a thousand people. Everybody wanted. I never knew your industry was that big. I never knew you had that many people in your industry, but here we are. And in fact, if you look, come to think of it. Wow. I got to look at this myself. Wow, what a view. This is the door to the ballroom. Unusual time to look, but I figured we might as well. Okay. He 100% had to fart.

[B]

You, So.

[A]

So do any. Do any of you. Any of you want to. Any of you want to invest in this? Or perhaps cough very loudly in about two seconds?

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Of course. A very, very odd place to take a break. I gotta say, very, very odd. Very odd place to take a break. Oh, wait, wait, wait. That sound. You know what that sound means? It's a monkey emergency. Monkey. Monkey.

[B]

Monkey.

[A]

Monkey. Monkey, monkey. Welcome. We live in dangerous and troubled times. So it brings me great joy to report that monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis. Just like in that classic Judy Garland film, Meet Me Somewhere Else, the monkeys have captured the trolley. Now, nobody knows. Nobody knows where these monkeys came from. I'm guessing from other monkeys, but local authorities say the number of monkeys is as many as four, but certainly more than one. Oh, my God. What could it be? Two, three, two again? No. These simians are so called vervet monkeys. And despite their verve, these furry vervets are furtive. One monkey expert says the vervets are very intelligent, but may be unpredictable or aggressive under stress. Same girl. Experts also say the monkeys can be soothed by half an edible and YouTube videos of industrial cake frosting. Local residents had this to say about the stray simians. Make sure your door's locked.

[B]

Cause the monkeys are loose.

[A]

Oh, she's right. You gotta lock your doors. And lock up your daughters. Cause they're all gonna fall in love with the monkeys. Girls love them bad boys. And ladies, there's as many as four, but certainly more than one. We got a great show for you tonight.

[B]

Coming up. Jimmy Kimmel. Shopping is hard. I can never find anything in my size.

[A]

I don't even know my size. I buy my clothes the same place I buy my groceries. There's a better way. Make it easy with Stitch Fix.

[B]

Just share your size, style, budget.

[A]

And done. Your personal stylist sends pieces picked just for you. That was easy. Stitch Fix online, personal styling for everyone. Free shipping and returns. No subscription required. Get started today@stitch fix.com. I'm here with the one, the only, Mr. Jimmy Kimmel. Jimmy, I've known you for over 20 years.

[B]

That's true.

[A]

You're a dear friend. We've gone fishing together.

[B]

We made love.

[A]

Well, you know, I'm man enough to admit it. You know, guys know what guys like. And here's the thing. As intimate as we've been over the years, I just. I always feel like there's another level to know someone. Okay. You know what I mean?

[B]

I do.

[A]

And so what we have done here at the Late show, we've come up with something called the Colbert Questionnaire, which is a series. Series of ergonomic, aerodynamic, hydrodynamic questions that penetrate straight to the heart of a person and reveal them to the world. And I'm just wondering whether you have the courage to take the Colbert Questionnaire.

[B]

Well, I hope so. I hope I do. If I have to tap out halfway, forgive me.

[A]

Okay. Okay. Jimmy Kimmel, The Colbert Questionnaire. Mr. Kimmel, first question. What is the best sandwich? Ooh.

[B]

Oh, you started with the hardest.

[A]

I know. I was waiting. I know. You probably got a good one. Over here.

[B]

Pick between my kids. Okay. All right. So, when I was in high school, I worked at a pizza place in Las Vegas called Figaros. And there was this old man. He was like 150 years old. And on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he made bread and he'd cook all night. He used a pizza oven. He'd make the bread. And so on Wednesdays and Fridays, when I'd come in to work in the morning, there was this hot, fresh bread. And I would slice it open, and I would put cold roast beef, Italian dressing, lettuce and tomato inside. And. Oh, and A little provolone, which I'd melt in the oven a little bit. Then I'd put the cold stuff in there and it's still in my mind. The best sandwich I've ever had.

[A]

Excellent answer. Thank you for the time you took to describe that. What was the first concert you attended?

[B]

My first concert. Sammy Davis Jr. No way.

[A]

The greatest entertainer of all time.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

In Vegas.

[B]

In Las Vegas. My best friend, Cleto, his dad was Sammy's room service butler, and he got tickets to see the show. We went. Not only did we see Sammy Davis, Jr. We went and hung out in his dressing room afterwards.

[A]

No way.

[B]

I was wearing my cousin's sport jacket. I was sitting on Sammy's couch, and there was a big, big bowl of potato chips. And I was too polite to eat any of them. I was scared to eat any. I didn't know if it was okay to eat his potato chips, even though I wanted them very much. And it was a fantastic concert. Wow.

[A]

That's amazing. What kind of fool am I?

[B]

He was the best kind.

[A]

What is the scariest animal to you?

[B]

The scariest animal. Okay.

[A]

Hmm.

[B]

You know what I hate? Mosquitoes. Is a mosquito an animal?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Small mosquito. The mosquito, yeah. Because we know they kill more people than sharks and bears and all that stuff.

[A]

Sure, sure.

[B]

And they're also just so annoying. And I'm one of those people that they swarm on. I don't know what it is about me, but they love me.

[A]

They're delicious.

[B]

I guess I am.

[A]

Apples or oranges?

[B]

I like them both.

[A]

A.

[B]

Well, how can you compare? I eat an apple every day, so.

[A]

Apple every day. Okay. Have you ever asked someone for their autograph?

[B]

I have, yeah.

[A]

May ask.

[B]

I asked Steve Garvey, my favorite baseball player, for his autograph.

[A]

There you go.

[B]

When I was about 10 years old on a. And this is when you grow up in Vegas on a keno ticket. Yeah.

[A]

Do you still have it?

[B]

You know what? I do still have it. It's mostly faded. And then I had it. I hung it on the wall of my bedroom and my sister scribbled in crayon on it. I love you all over it. And it was probably the maddest I ever was at anyone.

[A]

Wow. Wow. What do you think happens when we.

[B]

Die, the two of us?

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Well, we're going to heaven. I don't know where I'm headed. Okay. This is something I have thought about. Okay. And, you know, we're both Catholic and, you know.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

But I feel like there's, like, A. There's just a positive energy field that you become part of. That's what I think it is.

[A]

That's.

[B]

I mean, that's nice. We'll find out eventually. Sure.

[A]

Favorite action movie.

[B]

My favorite action movie does like that Batman movie that Christian Bale was in with the Joker count.

[A]

That's nice. Well, I mean, yeah, yeah, yeah. The second one, I guess.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, that one.

[A]

That one.

[B]

Yeah. I'm not a huge action movie guy, but I think I'd go with that one.

[A]

That's a very good one.

[B]

Okay. Thank you. Was that right? Do I win?

[A]

Judges, they're saying you're right. They're saying you're right. Okay. Oh, great. All right, so what you've won is eight more questions.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

All right. Could have tapped out right there. Brave man. Window or aisle?

[B]

Window. I am. I don't know if you know this about me. I have narcolepsy, so I can fall asleep at a second's notice.

[A]

And I'll make this quick.

[B]

I go right against the. I'll lean my face against that cool window and I am asleep in no time.

[A]

Wow. Nice. Favorite smell.

[B]

My favorite smell is garlic and olive oil. That's amazing.

[A]

Not too hot?

[B]

Don't wanna burn the coffee? No. Yeah, no, sure.

[A]

Okay. Least favorite smell?

[B]

Least favorite smell? You know when people leave their shirts in the dryer wet, and then they wear them to work and they don't seem to notice that they stink all day?

[A]

They're mildew. They have mildew.

[B]

That mildew smell. Yeah.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I don't understand it. I mean, if there's a rag in my house that has even a hint of that, I throw it right in the washing machine. That's my least favorite smell.

[A]

You know, right now there are people who work with you who are going, is he talking about me?

[B]

I hope that's true. I hope that's true.

[A]

What's your earliest memory?

[B]

My earliest memory? Well, let's see. I remember. I think I remember getting. I. You know, I. I was born in Mill Basin, and I lived there until I was nine. We moved to Vegas when I was nine. And I guess, you know, I found this little triangular rock, and I found a four leaf clover, and I put them in a bowl and I wished for a dog. And then we went to the King's Plaza Mall and we bought a dog that we named Fluffy. And I think that's probably my first real memory.

[A]

How old do you think you are there?

[B]

I was probably four years old.

[A]

That's lovely. Okay. Cats or dogs?

[B]

Oh, dogs. For sure.

[A]

Presently have a dog.

[B]

We have a dog. Yes. We have a dog named Todd.

[A]

Todd?

[B]

Yes, Todd.

[A]

I love dogs with human names.

[B]

The rescue place named him Todd and we couldn't come up with anything better than that.

[A]

You only get one song to listen to for the rest of your life. What is it? Doesn't have to be continuously, but when you go to listen to music, this is the song you get to hear. What is it?

[B]

Oh, well, that would make you hate the song, right?

[A]

Well, depends on the song, I suppose.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I think any song you listen to have to listen. I think I'd say Do youo Believe in Love by Huey Lewis and the News is my favorite song.

[A]

Fantastic. And you're friends with Huey. How nice.

[B]

That is, right? Yeah.

[A]

What number am I thinking of?

[B]

Well, I've seen this before, so I have an idea of what that number is. But let me just look into your brain and see if I can figure it out. Listen, this is a good test because we do have the same job. I mean, we have a lot in common, you and I.

[A]

We do? Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. And so is the number eight.

[A]

No.

[B]

You know what I saw when I looked in your eyes? Betrayal.

[A]

Yeah. Get used to it. Okay, Jimmy Kimmel, describe the rest of your life in five words.

[B]

Oh, wow.

[A]

Oh, wow. Wanna start over? Do you wanna start over?

[B]

Yeah, I'll start over. I'll start over. Fat, sleepy, lazy, slightly drunk.

[A]

Congratulations, you are known. Jimmy Kimmel, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you wann of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.

[B]

Pluto TV has thousands of free movies and TV shows.

[A]

This is the mindset like Joe Dirt, pixels, Survivor and SpongeBob SquarePants free. You're welcome Pluto TV stream now pay never. Paramount plus is the new home of.

[B]

UFC and we're coming out swinging with UFC 324.

[A]

Oh, what a shot.

[B]

3:25 on back to back weekends. The new era is here. Every fight. Bam. Let's go one subscription. Oh my goodness.

[A]

Pay per view just got knocked out.

[B]

Let's go back to back blockbuster UFC events this month only on Paramount plus.