President Donald Trump has sparked a new controversy after he posted an AI-generated video depicting late-night host Stephen Colbert being thrown into a dumpster before Trump dances to the song “YMCA.”
The video, shared through Trump’s official X account late Friday, quickly drew traction and sparked a conversation around the President's use of digitally manipulated content to mock his opponents.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ended on May 21, 2026, according to a previous announcement from CBS, which cited the financial strains on traditional late-night television, even though Colbert had the highest ratings throughout his time slot.
Read more: 'Hello, Goodbye': 'Late Show' host Stephen Colbert bows out
What does the video Trump posted show?
In the midst of the ongoing controversy around the cancelation of one of America's most popular late-night programs, the AI video, which seems to make fun of Colbert's exit from television, swiftly went viral online and sparked comments.
The clip shows Colbert hosting his usual late-night program before Trump suddenly enters from behind, lifts the comedian and tosses him into a garbage can. The video then transitions into Trump dancing to “YMCA,” a song that Trump recently labelled as the “Gay anthem.”
{{/usCountry}}The clip shows Colbert hosting his usual late-night program before Trump suddenly enters from behind, lifts the comedian and tosses him into a garbage can. The video then transitions into Trump dancing to “YMCA,” a song that Trump recently labelled as the “Gay anthem.”
{{/usCountry}}The song “YMCA” has become an unofficial soundtrack to Trump rallies, and Trump has expressed that the use of this “gay anthem” has earned him the votes of the LGBTQ community.
The footage is visibly AI-generated and stylized as the spread of the video fueled intense reactions from both supporters and critics.
Trump had previously come under fire for posting an AI-generated depiction of him as “Jesus” and a “doctor.”
Read more: Stephen Colbert best moments as Late Show host bids goodbye
Trump and Colbert feud
The AI video reflects the years-long rivalry between Trump and Colbert, whose late-night monologues frequently criticize the president and the republicans.
During Trump’s first presidency, Colbert emerged as one of the administration’s most vocal late-night critics through his CBS program The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Trump repeatedly responded publicly to Colbert’s jokes and commentary, at times calling him “untalented” and accusing network television hosts of political bias.
The cancellation of the late-night show got the label of political influence, given that Colbert, in his classic way, called CBS’s parent company, Paramount, out over their legal settlement with Trump.
However, CBS said that the decision was solely economic and rejected any political involvement.