Late-night television host Stephen Colbert escalated political satire into the musical arena on Friday, releasing a pointed diss track targeting President Donald Trump. The video, set to the instrumental of Kendrick Lamar's award-winning song "They Not Like Us," directly mocks the president's advanced age, his documented associations, and his deepening rift with the head of the Catholic Church.
The track, titled "They not pious," features a caricature of Pope Leo XIV delivering biting verses against Trump. One lyric states, "I'm the Holy See, you're the holy senile," while another references the president's connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein: "How many mentions of you in the Epstein files? Certified bestie with that certified pedophile." The song also suggests cognitive decline, rapping, "Seems like it's past you retired. Call Jesus a doctor and it's probably Alzheimer's."
A Feud with the Vatican
The release comes amid a sustained public conflict between Trump and Pope Leo XIV, which began after the pontiff condemned the president's military actions in Iran. "God does not bless any conflict," the pope posted on social media platform X in April. "Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs."
The pope reiterated this stance while in Cameroon this week, advocating for peace in that nation's civil war. "Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth," he said, a remark widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of Trump's rhetoric.
Trump's Escalating Response
President Trump has responded aggressively to the papal criticism, labeling Pope Leo XIV "weak on crime" and suggesting the conclave elected him specifically as a political countermeasure. "They only elected him because he was the 'best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump,'" the president claimed. His reaction included posting an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like pose, which he later removed following bipartisan criticism over the use of AI-generated religious imagery.
On Thursday, Trump defended his position while rejecting calls for a diplomatic meeting. "I have a right to disagree with the pope," he stated. "I have no disagreement with the fact the pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree." This ongoing confrontation has had tangible political costs, with recent polling showing a decline in Trump's approval rating among Catholic voters.
Political and Personal Repercussions
The president's combative approach to the Vatican has drawn scrutiny beyond electoral politics. Some observers and former officials suggest the feud indicates a larger issue. Notably, former White House counsel Ty Cobb has publicly claimed that Trump's fixation on the pope signals an accelerating cognitive decline, a charge the White House vehemently denies.
The episode also intersects with broader questions about the administration's focus, as it unfolds alongside other international challenges. Analysts note that Trump's political strategy is under renewed scrutiny following several foreign policy missteps, with the Vatican feud representing an unusual diplomatic and cultural flashpoint.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Colbert's video. The diss track represents a new frontier in the politicization of pop culture, using the format of a hip-hop feud to amplify criticisms of the president's personal conduct and policy decisions. It underscores how Trump's controversies continue to fuel content across the media landscape, from late-night comedy to the highest levels of religious diplomacy.
