Late night hosts react to Joe Biden inauguration: ‘It’s nice to have a president with a soul again’

Biden was sworn in as US president on Wednesday, taking over from Donald Trump

A selection of US late night talk show hosts have reacted to the inauguration of Joe Biden as US president, which took place yesterday (20 January).

With the twice-impeached Donald Trump’s time in office blighted by controversy and scandal, presenters including Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers have enthusiastically celebrated the change of leader.

“It’s so nice to have a president with a soul again,” joked Colbert, on a special live edition of The Late Show. “The previous one sold his to the devil and didn’t even get Georgia out of the deal.” 

The comedian also remarked that Biden and his wife, Dr Jill Biden, were “a presidential couple holding hands in a way that doesn’t look contractually mandated”.

Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel also hailed news of the day’s events. 

“I have to imagine this is what it feels like when the oncologist calls and tells you the tumor is benign,” he said. 

“Today, this country showed the world that there is no My Pillow large enough to smother our democracy.”

Meyers meanwhile cautioned that there was still plenty of work to be done, while hosting Late Night with Seth Meyers.

“Even amid this moment of collective relief, the nation is still in the midst of several unprecedented calamities, none of which will magically disappear any time soon,” he said.

“It’s a little like getting rid of the last guy at the party: you spent four years yawning and stretching and hinting that he should get out, and when he finally leaves it is a relief, until you remember you still have to clean up all his puke. And he puked everywhere.”

Trevor Noah joked in the opening monologue of The Daily Show: “The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and McDonald’s share price in Florida went way up, because America got a new Dad.”

You can read a run-down of talking points from the inauguration concert here.