Stephen Colbert created a microwave camera to poke fun at Kellyanne Conway

Stephen Colbert uses the microwave camera prop

(Image credit: Late Show)

last updated 14 March 2017

Stephen Colbert started off Monday's Late Show with the GOP's health-care plan, which had a bit of a setback earlier in the day. "So far it is popular with everyone — except doctors, hospitals, the insurance industry, patients, the elderly, Democrats, Republicans, and, what's the word, mortals," he said, and the Congressional Budget Office analysis on Monday only made things worse, estimating that 24 million people will lose insurance. When the audience booed, Colbert turned to gallows humor: "Keep in mind, that's 24 million people by 2026, and without health insurance, a lot of those people won't live that long."

He turned to the ongoing saga over President Trump's tweeted accusation that former President Barack Obama wiretapped his phones in Trump Tower. "Now Trump offered no evidence, and then demanded Congress go out and find some evidence," Colbert said. "Well, today is the deadline set by Congress for the Justice Department to hand over anything that might exist. So far — brace yourselves — nothing." Almost nobody is willing to back up Trump's claim, which Colbert didn't find all that shocking. "To believe Trump's claims, you'd need a shaky grasp of reality and zero regard for the truth," he said.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer tried to clean things up, explaining that Trump didn't really mean what he wrote. But "Spicer wasn't the only member of Team Trump cleaning up the tweetstorm," Colbert said, playing the clip of top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway suggesting Obama was eavesdropping on Trump using a specific kitchen appliance. "It's true, microwaves that turn into cameras," he said. "How do you think we film this show? Jim, show them Camera 3 over here."

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After "Conway's microwave comment heated up online," Colbert said, she tried to explain them away on CNN Monday morning, saying she isn't Inspector Gadget and isn't in the evidence business. "Okay, who has that evidence job?" Colbert asked. "It would be nice to know if Obama was spying on everyone through the popcorn setting on our microwaves." A ding sounded, bringing to mind the old adage about mystery novels and guns only being casually introduced in early chapters if they are going to be used later in the book. "Excuse me, my Hot Pocket's done," Colbert said, putting the microwave camera prop to use. "By the way, President Obama, I miss you," he whispered into the microwave. Watch below. Peter Weber

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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.