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Stephen Colbert wants to give angry Christians the Starbucks cup they deserve

Alex Abad-Santos is a senior correspondent who explains what society obsesses over, from Marvel and movies to fitness and skin care. He came to Vox in 2014. Prior to that, he worked at the Atlantic.

The controversy over Starbucks's red cups is a symptom of pure, unfiltered American outrage. And it was only a matter of time before it caught the eye of Stephen Colbert. During Wednesday night's Late Show, Colbert — in a segment that echoed the satirical sentiments of his late Comedy Central series — pointed out just how ridiculous the entire controversy is.

"I can see why people might be all frothed up about this. … Starbucks is completely devoid of any trace of the holiday besides the Christmas tree ornaments, advent calendar, CDs of Christmas music, Christmas-themed gift cards, Christmas cookies, and giant displays of their Christmas blend coffee," Colbert said. "Yes, they got rid of the Christian religious symbols like snowflakes and snowmen."

His sardonic solution? Colbert presented a gaudy eyesore of a cup jam-packed with Christmas imagery — lights, a nativity scene, ornaments, tinsel, Santa Claus, and even a miniature baby Jesus — all atop a tiny Christmas tree.

"They'll be picking tinsel out of their yule log for months," he promised. There you have it. Merry Christmas.


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