Stephen Colbert answers the burning question: 'Who's Mike Pence again?'
Stephen Colbert's nightly post–Republican National Convention recap Wednesday focused on the scheduled focus of Night 3: the acceptance speech of Donald Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. "We learned a lot about Pence's background, his family, his accomplishments and beliefs," Colbert said. "No question was left unanswered except for one: Who's Mike Pence again? Well, I'll tell you, I'll tell you, folks. Gov. Mike Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana, one morning when, I believe, lightning struck a jar of mayonnaise."
Colbert went on to highlight Pence's opinions on smoking and death, the Disney film Mulan, and his involvement in the 2015 Indiana law that allowed discrimination against LGBT patrons. ("He was just following the old saying, 'The customer's always straight,'" Colbert said.)
You may not care who Mike Pence is, he acknowledged, but you will if Trump is elected, because, according to The New York Times, Donald Trump Jr. offered to make John Kasich "the most powerful vice president in history" — "which is saying something," Colbert said, "since we've already had a vice president who is half machine and got away with shooting somebody in the face." If Trump made a similar deal with Pence, he will be in charge of domestic and foreign policy, while Trump's portfolio will be "making America great again," as Don. Jr. put it. "A lot of you out there think Trump isn't qualified to be president," Colbert said. "Well, isn't it comforting to know that Donald Trump agrees with you?"
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.
Earlier in the week, Full Frontal's Samantha Bee has a less genial, more specific introduction to Pence, whom she described as "loaned out from Republican central casting to play the governor of Indiana" and "basically the reason Brooklyn is full of Midwesterners." Bee focused on Pence's opposition to abortion rights (and competence), and you can watch her congratulations to Indiana below. Peter Weber
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.
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, 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