In a late-night television landscape often filled with sharp political satire, Stephen Colbert’s recent monologue on The Late Show stands out as one of his most blistering yet. On September 30, 2025, Colbert didn’t hold back, unleashing a torrent of mockery aimed squarely at Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The segment, which quickly went viral, featured Colbert dubbing Hegseth a “five-star douche” – a quip that had the studio audience erupting in laughter and the internet ablaze with memes, debates, and divided opinions.

Stephen Colbert during his monologue on The Late Show, where he delivered his takedown of Pete Hegseth.

This wasn’t just a passing joke; it hinted at a deeper undercurrent of tension between the comedian and the controversial Trump-appointed defense secretary, whose recent actions have drawn widespread scrutiny.

The trigger for Colbert’s outburst was Hegseth’s highly unusual speech delivered earlier that day at Quantico, Virginia. In an unprecedented move, Hegseth summoned over 200 top-ranking generals and admirals from around the world for a mandatory in-person meeting. The event, live-streamed and dubbed a “warrior ethos” address, saw Hegseth railing against what he perceived as the military’s slide into “wokeness.” He proclaimed it “liberation day” for America’s warriors, emphasizing that their core job is to “kill people and break things for a living.” Hegseth didn’t stop there; he lambasted “fat admirals and generals” as “a bad look” and “completely unacceptable,” vowed to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and declared an end to “climate change worship,” “division, distraction, or gender delusions,” and “debris.” In a moment that drew particular ridicule, he swore on stage, saying, “As I’ve said before and will say again, we are done with that shit.” To cap it off, Hegseth warned America’s enemies that if they “choose foolishly to challenge us, they will be crushed by the violence, precision, and ferocity of the War Department. In other words, to our enemies, F-A-F-O” – a not-so-subtle acronym for “f**k around and find out.”

Colbert, never one to shy away from lampooning political figures, seized on this speech as prime material. Opening his segment with a countdown to a potential government shutdown – a separate but related political drama where Republicans were threatening to halt funding over budget disputes – Colbert pivoted to what he called “the darker story of the evening.” He described Hegseth’s gathering as bizarre and precedent-shattering, then delivered the line that would dominate headlines: referring to Hegseth as a “five-star douche.” The audience’s reaction was immediate – cheers and applause filled the studio, amplifying the moment’s viral potential. But Colbert wasn’t done. He mocked Hegseth’s use of profanity, quipping, “Gosh, did you hear that, five-star generals? Pete did a swear. He! Is! Cool! You know, I hear he has like 10 Playboys under his mattress.” Then came the follow-up that left the studio buzzing: after playing a clip of Hegseth’s “F-A-F-O” line, which was met with silence from the generals in attendance, Colbert feigned pity. “Ohhhhhhh,” he said, hand over mouth, “Oh nooooooooo. I know that feeling. I’ve been there!” This scathing remark, highlighting Hegseth’s failed attempt at an applause line, underscored Colbert’s point that the secretary’s tough-guy persona fell flat even among his intended audience.

The internet exploded almost instantly. Clips of the monologue racked up millions of views on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter), with hashtags like #FiveStarDouche and #ColbertRoastsHegseth trending worldwide. Supporters of Colbert praised his unfiltered take, seeing it as a necessary check on what they view as the Trump administration’s overreach into military affairs. Critics, however, accused the comedian of disrespecting a veteran and high-ranking official, with some conservative commentators labeling it “unpatriotic.” One X post from a user captured the divide: “Colbert just eviscerated Hegseth – about time someone called out this nonsense!” while another retorted, “Liberal Hollywood attacking our military leaders? Shocking.”

But what elevates this from a standard late-night jab to something hinting at a deeper feud? Colbert’s history with Hegseth provides context. Earlier in 2025, during Hegseth’s confirmation process, Colbert had already taken shots at the former Fox News host. In March, amid scandals involving allegations of drinking on the job and a leaked group chat exposing sensitive military discussions, Colbert mocked Hegseth’s excuses, calling him a “slightly buzzed individual” who posted “unhinged rants” on social media. He even defended the drinking allegations in a tongue-in-cheek way, saying, “Come on! It’s a show that starts at 6 a.m. on the weekend. I’m sure a lot of morning hosts are still feeling it from the night before.” These repeated digs suggest Colbert views Hegseth not just as a punchline, but as emblematic of broader issues in the current administration – from politicizing the military to prioritizing culture wars over national security.

Hegseth’s speech itself was steeped in controversy. Appointed by President Donald Trump after his 2024 election victory, Hegseth – a combat veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan – has been a lightning rod since day one. His Quantico address was seen by some as a bold reset, aligning the military with conservative values by purging “woke” elements. Others, including military experts, criticized it as divisive and unprofessional, potentially undermining morale among diverse service members.

Pete Hegseth addressing top generals and admirals at Quantico, Virginia, in his controversial speech.

Reports indicate that the generals’ subdued response – no applause for Hegseth’s bombastic lines – reflected unease with the tone. This silence became fodder for not just Colbert, but other late-night hosts as well. Jimmy Kimmel, on his show, quipped that Hegseth pulled leaders from “the frontlines in Portland and Washington DC” for a “pep talk,” and after the same “F-A-F-O” clip, deadpanned, “He’s so awesome. That was some speech. Usually when a big group of people gather in one room for Pete Hegseth, it’s an intervention.” Ronny Chieng on The Daily Show added, “Listen, we all do weird things when we’re drunk, ok? Some of us slide into an ex’s DMs, and some of us call every US general to a meeting at Quantico.”

The fallout extended beyond TV. Hegseth fired back on his Fox News segment just hours later, saying, “I’ve fought real battles — not the kind that end when the cameras cut. If mocking faith, family, and service makes you feel brave, then maybe that says more about you than me.” He concluded with, “Comedy fades. Character doesn’t.” This response rallied his supporters, including veterans who flooded social media with messages of solidarity. Yet, it also fueled the feud, with Colbert’s fans pointing out the irony of a defense secretary engaging in public spats with a comedian.

As the dust settles, this episode highlights the increasingly blurred lines between entertainment, politics, and military affairs in 2025 America. Colbert’s takedown wasn’t just funny – it was a cultural moment that exposed fault lines in public discourse. With the government shutdown averted (for now) and Hegseth’s policies under the microscope, the question remains: Will this be the end of the barbs, or just the beginning of a longer battle? The internet, at least, shows no signs of cooling down, with ongoing discussions about free speech, respect for authority, and the role of satire in holding power accountable. In a polarized nation, moments like these remind us that laughter can be a powerful weapon, but so can the backlash it provokes.