Stephen Colbert offers a new name for Trump's immigration proposal, advice for Stephen Miller
President Trump took to Twitter Wednesday night to deny that he called the White House a "dump" in front of paying members of his New Jersey golf club, but Stephen Colbert kicked off Wednesday's Late Show imagining the president browsing for less dumpy digs.
In his monologue, Colbert looked askance at the Senate immigration proposal Trump championed on Wednesday morning. The bill isn't harsh because it targets illegal immigrants — it aims to cut legal immigration to the U.S. by 50 percent, he noted, imagining how that might play out in the East Wing: "Melania, honey, I got some tough news. Only 50 percent of your parents can come to Thanksgiving."
To take the sting out of the bill, its sponsors gave it a soft name, the RAISE Act, but Colbert had an alternative acronym: the Reforming American Citizenship Is Super Tough (RACIST) Act. Trump is proposing a merit-based system — "Mr. President, wherever you are today, it's not based on merit," Colbert jabbed — that favors applicants who speak English. He rolled his eyes: "Yes, immigrants have to learn proper English — like 'bigly,' 'covfefe,' and 'bing bing bing bing bing.'"
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.
To defend the proposal, the White House sent out policy adviser Stephen Miller, and "it did not go well," Colbert said. "Could have gone better. He's not a people person." He ran through Miller's confrontations with CNN's Jim Acosta, and his sermon about those people worthy of a "golden ticket" to America. "Look, Miller, if you're trying to prove you're not racist, don't compare this to a movie where a guy enslaved a bunch of little orange people to work in his factory," Colbert said, adding, "#FreeOompaLoompas." Watch below. Peter Weber
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.
-
Today's political cartoons - September 8, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - circuitous thoughts, overheating circuits, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Chicken with Steph's spice
The Week Recommends This Caribbean-inspired recipe is mouthwateringly delicious
By The Week UK Published
-
A peaceful seaside village in Turkey
The Week Recommends Çıralı has been spared the 'scourge' of all-inclusive resort development
By The Week UK 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