The Feud Between Trump and the AP: A Tale of Egos and Geography

In a world where politics and media often collide, the latest showdown between former President Donald Trump and the Associated Press (AP) has taken a surprisingly absurd turn. Trump, known for his penchant for renaming things to suit his brand, reportedly wanted the AP to start referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." When the AP declined, Trump’s reaction was nothing short of petty. Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, couldn’t resist diving into this bizarre feud during his Monday night monologue, calling Trump’s behavior “petty and vindictive.”

Colbert’s Take: A Mix of Humor and Reality Checks

Colbert began by pointing out the obvious: the Gulf of Mexico has always been called the Gulf of Mexico, and the AP was simply doing its job by sticking to the facts. “The thing you should get mad at the AP about is not using the Oxford comma in their style guide, OK?” Colbert quipped, poking fun at Trump’s priorities. The Late Show host made it clear that Trump’s anger was misplaced, suggesting that the former president should focus on more pressing issues rather than a name change that no one asked for. After all, as Colbert noted, the AP’s refusal to play along hardly warrants a ban from the Oval Office and Air Force One.

The Unlikely Hero: MapQuest Stands Its Ground

While Trump was busy targeting the AP, Colbert highlighted an unlikely hero in this saga: MapQuest. Despite other major companies like Google, Apple, and Axios caving to Trump’s name-change demands, MapQuest has stubbornly refused to budge. “A lone hero stands tall,” Colbert declared, mocking the idea that MapQuest’s defiance could be anything short of revolutionary. He even included an exaggerated salute to the outdated mapping service, acknowledging that its refusal might not be a bold statement of resistance but rather a result of its dwindling resources. “It’s possible that there aren’t enough people still working at MapQuest to update anything,” Colbert joked.

A Blast from the Past: MapQuest’s Nostalgic Moment

Colbert couldn’t resist taking a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the glory days of MapQuest. “Pack up the Buick LeSabre, we’re going back to 1996,” he said, referencing the pre-Google, pre-smartphone era when MapQuest was the go-to for directions. He even threw in some humor about the iconic (and often frustrating) experience of printing out multi-page MapQuest directions in full color, only to face the wrath of your mom for wasting ink. Colbert’s nostalgia-tinged commentary served as a reminder that while MapQuest may no longer be the dominant force it once was, its refusal to change the Gulf’s name felt like a small but significant act of defiance.

The Bigger Picture: Trump’s War on Reality

While the Gulf of Mexico controversy may seem trivial on the surface, Colbert used it to highlight a larger issue: Trump’s ongoing war with reality. “You can’t get mad at the AP for not using your stupid name,” Colbert said, encapsulating the absurdity of Trump’s expectations. Whether it’s renaming a body of water or spreading falsehoods about the 2020 election, Trump’s behavior consistently reflects a disregard for facts and a desire to reshape the world in his image. Colbert’s monologue served as a timely reminder that the media’s role in standing up for truth is more important than ever.

The Last Laugh: Colbert’s Parting Shots

As he wrapped up his monologue, Colbert didn’t miss the opportunity to take a few more shots at Trump and the absurdity of the situation. He imagined a world where the Gulf of Mexico is officially renamed the Gulf of America, joking that it would be a fitting legacy for a president who has always been more about branding than substance. Colbert also continued to praise MapQuest for its unintended role as a symbol of resistance, even if the company’s defiance was more a product of negligence than noble conviction. “See more in his Monday night monologue,” Colbert said, teasing viewers to tune in for the full dose of humor and commentary. And as always, Colbert delivered, proving once again why he’s one of the sharpest voices in late-night television.