Stephen Colbert reveals the one person he’d swap bodies with — Late Show host’s shocking Trump joke triggers debate

Stephen Colbert’s recent comments about wanting to “switch bodies” with the U.S. President Donald Trump have gone viral, but there’s more to the story than just another late‑night joke. The Late Show host made the remarks during a public event, framing them as satirical commentary on his long‑running feud with Trump and his impending exit from late‑night television.




At the 20th anniversary event of Slate’s Political Gabfest in New York City, Colbert was asked whom he would choose if he could inhabit someone else’s body for 24 hours. The comedian and political commentator quickly named President Donald Trump but with a twist. Rather than poking fun or impersonating him, Colbert said he would use the bizarre opportunity to resign from the presidency outright without scandal or drama and leave office on what he jokingly described as a triumphant note.

Colbert’s answer, delivered with characteristic humour, also included a self‑aware moment about the hypothetical consequences: he wondered aloud whether Trump would then occupy his body during that same period, prompting laughter from the audience.




The comments come amid an ongoing, highly publicised back‑and‑forth between Colbert and Trump. In recent days, President Trump took to his social media platform to criticise Colbert — calling him a “pathetic trainwreck” with “nonexistent ratings” and urging CBS to “put him to sleep.” These attacks follow Colbert’s announcement that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will end in May 2026 after a decade on the air, a decision CBS said was financial but which critics have linked to political tensions.




While the body‑swap quip is clearly tongue‑in‑cheek, it has captured headlines worldwide. Fans and media alike are dissecting the humour, highlighting Colbert’s signature blend of comedy and political commentary. Even as his show prepares to sign off, Colbert is proving he can still make waves one joke at a time.