Biden Takes Center Stage at DNC Amid Age Jokes and Late-Night Laughter

As the Democratic National Convention kicked off in Chicago on Monday, the spotlight was on President Joe Biden, who took the stage in front of a cheering crowd. But as late-night hosts were quick to remind us, age continues to be a recurring theme in their comedic takes on the president's performance. Jimmy Fallon kicked things off with a light-hearted jab, noting that when Biden finally reached the podium for his speech, “the cheers were so loud that even Biden could hear them.” The audience’s enthusiasm was palpable, and Fallon seized the moment to poke fun at the president’s age. He quipped about Biden’s speech touching on significant accomplishments—from the economy to health care—while also jokingly highlighting how the president managed to walk to the podium. Stephen Colbert followed suit, emphasizing how the evening proved Biden could stay up past the early bedtime usually associated with older citizens. “Biden stood on that stage, gave a powerful speech and proved to the country and the world that he can stay up past 8 p.m.,” Colbert remarked, eliciting laughter from the audience. It was a playful nod to the ongoing discussions about Biden’s age as he seeks re-election in 2024. RuPaul, guest hosting “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” added his own twist, suggesting that the timing of Biden's speech was carefully orchestrated to ensure he could wrap things up before the week concluded. “They decided to have Biden speak on Monday, in hopes that he'd be done by Thursday,” he said, drawing chuckles from viewers. The night certainly had its share of humor, but it also featured poignant themes aimed at rallying support for the Democratic agenda. Colbert noted the convention's theme for the night, “For the People,” adding that it felt like a significant shift from a month prior when the focus was on urging Biden to drop out of the race. Meanwhile, surprise appearances added an unexpected twist to the evening. Colbert quipped about Vice President Kamala Harris’s unscheduled appearance, joking that “Surprise, it's Kamala!” was the new slogan for the Democrats this election cycle. The playful jabs and unexpected moments contributed to an atmosphere of levity that permeated the convention. As the convention continues, late-night hosts promise more laughs, with Michael Keaton discussing his return to the screen as Beetlejuice on Monday’s “Tonight Show.” On Tuesday, audiences can look forward to seeing Colman Domingo from “Sing Sing” sit down with RuPaul on “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” In the world of late-night comedy, nothing is off-limits, and the Democratic National Convention serves as a ripe target for humor. As the nation gears up for the 2024 election, late-night hosts will no doubt continue to serve up their unique blend of comedy and commentary, keeping audiences entertained while the political landscape unfolds.