Stephen Colbert is a little queasy at how complimentary Trump is being about 'vicious dictator' Kim Jong Un

Stephen Colbert recaps Trump complimenting Kim Jong Un

(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/The Late Show)

published 15 June 2018

President Trump "is still basking in the glow of his successful play date" with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Stephen Colbert said on Thursday's Late Show, "but it has been kind of shocking to hear all the nice things Trump said about one of the most vicious dictators alive." He played some clips, but one compliment jumped out. "Funny?" Colbert asked. "Mr. President, when they talk about how much Kim Jong Un 'kills,' they're not talking about his new Comedy Central special, 'Kim Jong Un-censored.'"

"And it's not just their leader he respects — today, North Korean television broadcast some behind-the-scenes footage of Trump meeting North Korean officials, and — wait for it — and he salutes!" Colbert narrated. "He salutes a North Korean general. Our commander in chief saluted our enemy. Either that or he was just confused. 'I'm a huge fan of your chicken, Gen. Tso.'"

Trump didn't get much concrete from Kim, but he did get a promise that North Korea will return the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the Korean War. "Finally these soldiers' families will get some closure — well done, Mr. President," Colbert said. "But, then he had to lie about it." Trump suggested to Fox News that "so many 101-year-old couples asked him for this — Trump isn't just bending the truth anymore, he's bending the fabric of space-time," Colbert said. "My father-in-law served during the Korean War. If his parents were alive, I think they would be 127 years old — or as we call them here at CBS, our target demo." He ended on Russia and the World Cup, and you can watch that 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.