Stephen Colbert on VP debate
Stephen Colbert addressed the vice presidential debate on “The Late Show” Tuesday night, where he shared his thoughts on Tim Walz and JD Vance’s responses to several divisive issues, including January 6 and gun violence.
“The VP candidates were both different flavors of boring,” Colbert said in his opening monologue. “JD Vance looked like a business lemur on beta blockers, and Tim Walz was, you know, the likable coach, but he seemed to be way too caffeinated.”
Colbert noted that during the VP debate, Vance “made sure many of his answers were vague and patriotic.” At one point in his opening monologue, the late-night host explored the moment Vance minimized Trump’s incitement of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
“It’s really rich for Democratic leaders to say that Donald Trump is a unique threat to democracy when he peacefully surrendered power on January 20, as we have done in this country for 250 years,” Vance said in an excerpt from the VP debate. .
“Yes, after his coup failed!” Colbert said in response. “That’s like a toddler saying, ‘Look, I went to bed peacefully at 8 p.m., and I think it’s time to stop focusing on the 45 minutes I spent screaming and biting the babysitter because I wanted more bubbles.'”
Colbert agreed with Walz’s statement that “Jan. 6 were not Facebook ads,” after Vance compared the insurrection to Hillary Clinton complaining about Russian disinformation on social media.
‘He’s right, that’s not the case. I’ll fact check that. January 6 was no Facebook ads,” Colbert said. “But if it were, it would be: ’10 Weird Tricks to Overthrow the Will of the People! Mike Pence can’t stand number six!” he added jokingly.
Colbert then noted that Vance would not answer whether or not Trump lost the 2020 election.
“Did he lose the 2020 election?” Walz asked during the debate, to which Vance responded, “Tim, I’m focused on the future.”
“Yes, Tim. I am focused on the future. Let’s not talk about January 6, 2021. Let’s talk about January 6, 2025! This time we’re bringing two shamans,” Colbert said mockingly.
Colbert then commented on the VP candidates’ conversation about gun violence, saying on “The Late Show,” “When asked about gun violence in our nation’s schools, J.D. Vance had an answer: anything but what would work.”
Colbert concluded, “In the end, it was 90 minutes of sustained talk that made one thing clear: Tonight was like having Thanksgiving with your most nervous uncle and your most smug nephew. It was unpleasant and difficult, and fortunately you only have to do it once every four years.”
