Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert highlight the craziest parts of the charges against Trump pal Rep. Chris Collins


Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) "was one of [President] Trump's earliest backers, and Trump's repaid that loyalty," sometimes with a gratuitous insult thrown in, Seth Meyers said on Wednesday's Late Night. "If there's anyone who represents the modern Republican Party, the kind of guy who has fully and completely embraced the Trump era and draining the swamp, it's Chris Collins." That was the setup for the revelation that the FBI arrested and federal prosecutors indicted Collins on insider-trading and wire fraud charges Wednesday. "That's right, a sitting member of Congress has been charged for insider trading," he said. "It there anyone close to Trump who hasn't been charged with a crime?"
Meyers explained the charges, stemming from Collins sitting on the board of a biotech company, "which right off the bat is insane. A sitting member of Congress should not be on the board of a publicly traded company. That's like finding out an NFL referee is a part-owner of the Patriots — which I wouldn't be surprised to hear!"
The "crazy thing" is that Collins committed his alleged crime from the lawn of the White House, during a picnic, Stephen Colbert said at The Late Show. "In fact, and this is true, CBS News has exclusive footage of Collins on the phone at the picnic," presumably calling his son to urge him to dump shares, he said, and "The Late Show has acquired the audio," which he played. (Spoiler: It's fake.) Collins tried to call his son 15 seconds after learning the stock would tank but didn't get through until six calls and five minutes later. "If you want to conspire with your millennial children, you don't call, you text," Colbert said, and he had a suggested text message at the ready. Watch below. Peter Weber
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.
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.
-
What's at stake in the Mahmoud Khalil deportation fight?
Talking Points Vague accusations and First Amendment concerns
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Why is a new Air Force One taking so long to build?
The Explainer Trump may look for alternatives for his new plane
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
New and notable podcasts for March
Feature The MeidasTouch Podcast and The Magnificent Others With Billy Corgan
By The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published