Stephen Colbert has some fun with Trump's ho-hum Eagles-less 'Celebration of America'
On Monday night, President Trump disinvited the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles from a White House celebration, saying — falsely — that they had kneeled during the national anthem, Stephen Colbert said on Tuesday's Late Show. "So Donald Trump is blaming a group of black guys for something they didn't do? They'll have to rename the Eagles the Central Park 53. But Fox News never lets the truth get in the way of a good story," Colbert said, showing photos of Eagles praying before the game while suggesting they were taking a knee in protest. "It's an honest mistake," Colbert said. "Fox News also thought this picture was Jesus calling a touchdown."
Since the Eagles did not actually protest the anthem, Colbert suggested that Trump canceled the event because only two or three Eagles players, the owner, and the mascot were planning to attend — and Trump is scared of eagles. "So it's crazy, but here's the extra crazy sauce," he added: Trump didn't cancel the event, he just changed it into a "Celebration of America." "Now there's an idea," Colbert deadpanned. "A celebration of America and all it stands for right in the middle of the summer! I think this could work: Let's get some fireworks, maybe a big parade, call it the Fifth of June!"
But Trump held the event, Colbert said, and "how much does he love America? He knew most of the words to 'The Star-Spangled Banner' and a couple of the words to 'God Bless America.'" He engaged in some amateur lip-reading of what Trump was actually singing/humming during the Irving Berlin classic, laughed at Philadelphia's mayor calling Trump a "fragile egomaniac obsessed with crowd size," but threw a flag at the mayor's chief of staff comparing the Eagles' Super Bowl celebration crowd size to Trump's inauguration: "That's a personal foul — totally necessary roughness! First down!" Watch below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published