Stephen Colbert rolls his eyes at the Sean Hannity factor in Trump's Supreme Court pick

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

Since Stephen Colbert taped Monday's Late Show a few hours before President Trump named his pick to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court, he had to rely on a bit of deliberately clumsy editorial magic to announce that federal appellate Judge Brett Kavanaugh got Trump's rose. After expressing surprise that Trump picked "that guy, girl, or fast food mascot," Colbert needed something to talk about, so he talked about Sean Hannity's role in picking Trump's nominee.

"You know Trump considers it a crucial decision because yesterday, while he was at his country club in Bedminster — the Jersey White House, as no one calls it — he was, and this is true, being advised by Sean Hannity," Colbert said. This is "very common," he deadpanned. "Presidents have always relied on the advice of TV personalities. Reagan only supported the Contras after the weekend summit he had with ALF. And apparently, Hannity got some bang for his blather, because reports are that some White House aides are annoyed that Trump is announcing his SCOTUS pick at 9 p.m. in order to help Sean Hannity's ratings." He imagined Trump watching himself on Hannity, not quite making his announcement, conjuring up a sort of political-comedy Droste effect. It's something to behold. 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.