Wed. Aug 13th, 2025

The latest controversy surrounding former President Donald Trump has now ensnared late-night talk show hosts Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel. The issue at hand is Trump’s portrait, which is set to be unveiled at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. However, the portrait has been delayed due to a lack of funding, prompting Trump to take to social media to express his displeasure. Colbert, host of The Late Show, dragged Kimmel into the fray, jokingly accusing him of being responsible for the delay. Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, responded by denying any involvement and instead shifted the focus to Trump’s own role in the controversy. The back-and-forth between the two hosts has sparked a heated debate, with many weighing in on social media. The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has a long history of showcasing portraits of former presidents, and Trump’s portrait is expected to be a significant addition to the collection. However, the delay has raised questions about the funding and priorities of the gallery. Trump’s supporters have come to his defense, arguing that the delay is a partisan attempt to disparage the former president. On the other hand, critics of Trump have seized on the controversy, using it as an opportunity to criticize his administration’s policies and actions. The controversy has also sparked a wider debate about the role of the Smithsonian and the importance of preserving historical artifacts. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved. The Smithsonian has thus far remained tight-lipped about the delay, citing a lack of funding as the primary reason. However, many have speculated that the delay may be due to a more complex set of factors, including the controversy surrounding Trump’s presidency. Despite the uncertainty, one thing is clear: the controversy surrounding Trump’s portrait has brought attention to the important work of the Smithsonian and the National Portrait Gallery. The gallery’s collection includes portraits of many notable figures, including former presidents, celebrities, and historical figures. The portraits serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving history and cultural heritage. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how the controversy is resolved and what implications it may have for the Smithsonian and the National Portrait Gallery. In the meantime, the debate surrounding Trump’s portrait continues to rage on, with many weighing in on social media and beyond. The controversy has also sparked a wider conversation about the role of late-night talk show hosts in shaping public discourse. Colbert and Kimmel, in particular, have been at the forefront of the conversation, using their platforms to comment on current events and spark debate. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the hosts continue to engage with the controversy and what impact their commentary may have on the wider conversation. Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Trump’s portrait serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving history and cultural heritage, and the significant role that institutions like the Smithsonian play in this effort. The debate may be contentious, but it has brought attention to the important work of the Smithsonian and the National Portrait Gallery, and has sparked a wider conversation about the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.

Source