Pete Buttigieg Criticizes Trump’s Mandate Claim With Sharp Humor

The former transportation secretary mocked Trump’s narrow 2024 election margin during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Pete Buttigieg appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to respond to Donald Trump’s recent address to Congress.
Trump claimed a mandate for his presidency, citing election results, but Buttigieg pointed out that Trump won with the smallest popular vote margin since Nixon.
Buttigieg delivered a pointed joke speculating on how Trump might feel about having something 'that small,' drawing laughter from the audience.
A recent CNN poll shows only 39% of Americans feel the country is moving in the right direction, with skepticism about Trump’s mandate evident even among some Republicans.
Critics, including Buttigieg, argue Trump’s speech offered little substance on addressing key issues like the economy and affordability.