Stephen Colbert wonders just how dumb Trump thinks the American people are
Tuesday's Late Show came at the end of a tumultuous couple of days for President Trump. Having just returned from a "disastrous" trip around Europe, during which he managed to bash NATO and rub shoulders with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump had some mopping up to do upon his return home.
In remarks Tuesday, Trump went into "emergency spin mode," Colbert said, listing his version of various events — including a weird fib about his meeting with Queen Elizabeth II — in an effort to make it into what Colbert calls the "Lying Hall of Fame."
But perhaps the biggest walk-back came after Trump stood next to Putin and told a room full of reporters that, despite conclusions to the contrary from American intelligence agencies, he was confident Russia did not meddle in the 2016 presidential election. "I don't see any reason why it would be [Russia]," Trump said. "That needs no clarification," Colbert assured, and then showed a clip of Trump saying his statement needed some clarification. "Okay, I stand corrected," Colbert said. "Alright Mr. President, I'll bite. Let's see how dumb you think the American people are."
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Trump insists he simply misspoke. What he meant to say was, "I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be Russia."
"Yes, the sentence should have been that," Colbert said. "It was not that, but then again who among us hasn't said the exact opposite of what he just said in front of cameras on multiple occasions?" He finishes with a sick burn on Trump's "double negative" flub. Watch below. Jessica Hullinger
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Jessica Hullinger is a writer and former deputy editor of The Week Digital. Originally from the American Midwest, she completed a degree in journalism at Indiana University Bloomington before relocating to New York City, where she pursued a career in media. After joining The Week as an intern in 2010, she served as the title’s audience development manager, senior editor and deputy editor, as well as a regular guest on “The Week Unwrapped” podcast. Her writing has featured in other publications including Popular Science, Fast Company, Fortune, and Self magazine, and she loves covering science and climate-related issues.
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