In a bold holiday twist that’s lighting up social media and sparking debates across the political spectrum, Stephen Colbert has unleashed an animated Christmas video targeting President-elect Donald Trump with razor-sharp satire. The clip, titled “Colbert’s Canceled Christmas: The Last Noel,” portrays Trump as “King Jag Bag,” a narcissistic ruler who wreaks havoc on the holiday season. Released just days before Christmas on December 19, 2025, the short has gone viral, blending whimsical animation with pointed political commentary that has fans cheering and critics questioning the role of comedy in an already divided nation.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, airing on CBS, has long been a platform for the comedian’s incisive takes on current events. This latest offering, narrated by actor Nick Offerman in a folksy, storybook style, opens with idyllic scenes of holiday cheer before veering into absurdity. In the video, “King Jag Bag”—a thinly veiled caricature of Trump complete with exaggerated hair and bombastic demeanor—declares Christmas canceled. He dispatches ICE agents to the North Pole to deport Santa’s elves as “illegal immigrants,” bulldozes the workshop to make way for a lavish “Trumpmas Ballroom,” and rebrands the holiday as “Trumpmas,” complete with gold-plated decorations and self-aggrandizing festivities.

The animation style evokes classic holiday specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, but with a subversive edge. Twinkling lights and jolly music give way to chaotic scenes: Santa’s sleigh grounded by tariffs, reindeer rounded up for a border wall, and gifts replaced with Trump-branded merchandise. Offerman’s deadpan delivery amplifies the humor, intoning lines like, “While Christmas had once been a season of giving, this year in the White House, King Jag Bag was living.” The nickname “Jag Bag,” a playful jab combining “jag” (as in jagoff, a slang insult) with “douchebag,” lands as the video’s centerpiece, drawing laughs for its irreverence while underscoring Colbert’s critique of Trump’s ego and policies.

This isn’t Colbert’s first rodeo with Trump-themed satire. Since Trump’s 2016 campaign, the host has made him a frequent target, from impersonations to monologues dissecting his tweets and legal battles. The “Canceled Christmas” video fits into a tradition of holiday specials on The Late Show, where Colbert often uses the season’s themes of joy and unity to highlight societal rifts. Past segments have mocked everything from holiday commercialization to political hypocrisy, but this one feels particularly pointed given Trump’s recent election victory and promises of sweeping changes in immigration and trade.

The video dropped amid a politically charged holiday season, with Trump preparing for his second term starting January 20, 2026. Supporters of the president-elect have dismissed it as typical liberal bias from late-night TV, while detractors see it as a cathartic release. On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), the clip has amassed millions of views, with hashtags like #JagBagTrump and #ColbertsCanceledChristmas trending. Users have shared memes superimposing Trump’s face on Grinch-like figures, and fan edits remixing the audio with real Trump speeches.

Reactions have been mixed but fervent. Liberal audiences and comedy fans have hailed it as “Colbert at his best,” praising the seamless blend of whimsy and wit. One X user posted, “This is the Christmas gift we needed—finally calling out the absurdity with style.” Rolling Stone described it as Colbert “taking aim” at Trump, noting the video’s potential to “rattle the conversation.” On the other hand, conservative commentators argue it exemplifies how entertainment media fuels division. A Fox News segment called it “another example of Hollywood elites mocking the will of the voters,” suggesting such satire only hardens political lines rather than bridging them.

The debate extends to broader questions about satire’s impact. Is it “just jokes,” as Colbert often quips, or does it wield real influence? Historians of comedy point to shows like Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show, which have shaped public perception of politicians for decades. Alec Baldwin’s Trump impersonation on SNL reportedly irked the real Trump, who tweeted complaints during his first term. Similarly, Colbert’s video could provoke a response from Trump, known for his social media retorts. As of December 21, 2025, Trump has not publicly commented, but his team has been busy with transition preparations, including cabinet announcements.

Behind the scenes, the production involved a team of animators and writers who crafted the short in a matter of weeks. Offerman, best known for his role as Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation, brings gravitas to the narration, his gravelly voice contrasting the cartoonish antics. The video premiered on The Late Show and was quickly uploaded to YouTube, where it racked up over 5 million views in its first 48 hours. CBS Studios promoted it across platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, where bite-sized clips have further amplified its reach.

For Colbert, who took over The Late Show in 2015 after years hosting The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, this type of content is par for the course. His style—intellectual, character-driven humor—often skewers power figures without pulling punches. The “Jag Bag” moniker echoes past nicknames like “Donny Two-Scoops” or references to Trump’s crowd size obsessions. Yet, in a post-2024 election landscape, where Trump won decisively, some wonder if such mockery resonates or backfires.

Public opinion polls on late-night comedy’s influence are telling. A 2025 Pew Research study found that 62% of Americans view satirical shows as “entertainment first,” but 45% say they shape their political views, especially among younger demographics. Gen Z viewers, in particular, engage with clips on social media rather than full episodes, making viral moments like this video potent cultural artifacts.

Critics on the right, including outlets like Breitbart, have labeled it “tasteless,” arguing it disrespects the presidency during a time of national unity. Supporters counter that satire is protected speech, essential for holding leaders accountable. The video’s timing, just after Hanukkah began and with Christmas approaching, adds layers—touching on themes of inclusion amid references to deportation and walls.

As the clip continues to circulate, it raises timeless questions: Can laughter bridge divides, or does it deepen them? In an era of echo chambers, does Colbert’s festive roast change minds or preach to the choir? For now, it’s a mic-drop moment that’s got everyone talking, proving that even in animation, politics packs a punch.

The video is available on YouTube and The Late Show’s social channels, inviting viewers to decide for themselves if it’s naughty or nice. As the holidays unfold, one thing’s clear: in the world of late-night TV, the satire sleigh shows no signs of slowing down.