Stephen Colbert Gives Jim Jordan 'Historic' Smackdown | HuffPost Entertainment

Late Show host Stephen Colbert returned to his show on Monday night after last weeks battle with COVID-19 , saying hes feeling better mostly because Jim Jordan will not be speaker of the House.

The Ohio Republican was forced to withdraw from the race after losing three votes on the House floor last week.

This is an historic humiliation for a man who will not be in the history books, Colbert declared, referring to him as speaker of the nothing.

Colbert noted that GOP moderates tanked Jordans candidacy days after one of his allies reportedly declared that moderates always cave . A tale as old as time.

That, of course, is a Disney reference, though I think Jordan prefers that song from Encanto, We Dont Talk About What Happened at Ohio State, Colbert said, then encouraged his audience to Google it.

Jordan was a wrestling coach at Ohio State University in the 1980s and 90s, and has been accused of ignoring sexual abuse claims against the teams doctor. Jordan has denied the allegations, which have been corroborated by multiple former athletes .

With Rep. Jim Jordan out of the Speaker of the House race, it's back to the drawing board.#Colbert pic.twitter.com/2V98rKc4pb

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With Rep. Jim Jordan out of the Speaker of the House race, it's back to the drawing board.#Colbert pic.twitter.com/2V98rKc4pb
The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) October 24, 2023

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The collapse of Jordans speaker bid has led to a Republican free-for-all in the race for the next leader, with nine GOP lawmakers declaring their candidacy, although one has since withdrawn.

Given the divisions within the party, its not clear if any of them can win the 217 votes likely needed to secure the position, leading Colberts team to put together this mock movie trailer:

The race for Speaker of the House is a nightmare unlike any before!#Colbert pic.twitter.com/tw2C3PxqKR

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The race for Speaker of the House is a nightmare unlike any before!#Colbert pic.twitter.com/tw2C3PxqKR
The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) October 24, 2023