Stephen Colbert Mocks Trump’s Reintroduction of the Presidential Fitness Test


On Thursday, Donald Trump enacted an executive order to restore the Presidential Fitness Test for students throughout the U.S., a decision that The Late Show’s Stephen Colbert humorously interpreted as indicating “now kids will need to be as fit as President Trump.”

As he brought out a whistle during Thursday’s monologue, Colbert embraced his inner gym instructor to ridicule Trump’s decision: “Alright, everyone, hop on that golf cart and start munching nuggets until your ankles puff up like a chili-filled balloon. And dip, and crunch, and dip, and crunch. Now watch TV and yell, yell, yell.”

Colbert remarked that the Presidential Fitness Test has been in existence since 1966, but according to the Associated Press, “The program was modified in 2012 during the Obama era to emphasize individual health over athletic accomplishments.”

“BOOOO!” exclaimed Colbert. “Make the kids perform athletic feats for our entertainment! I had to do it in school, and so did all of you. I believe every child should have the opportunity to struggle through timed sit-ups while the toughest kid in class sits on their feet and toots. Just think! If they don’t have to go through that, where will future comedians come from?”