Stephen Colbert laments the recent hate crimes: 'Hate is not what America stands for.' He's less sure about Trump.

Stephen Colbert on Trump versus hate crimes
(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/The Late Show)

"On Saturday in Pittsburgh, at the Tree of Life synagogue, a mass shooter murdered 11 worshippers," in "the worst act of violence against Jewish people in U.S. history," Stephen Colbert said on Monday's Late Show. "It's tragic, it's sickening, and our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the larger Jewish community. But more than that, I want to say hate is not what America stands for. And tonight, all of us are with you." He highlighted some real-world examples of that support.

"Naturally, in times like these, our nation looks to its president for comfort and guidance," Colbert said. "That's our first mistake." He noted Trump first suggesting the synagogue should have had an armed guard, then Trump's factually incorrect reason for not canceling a rally hours later. "So Trump's instinct when addressing a tragedy was to lie about another tragedy," Colbert said. "I think lying about anything associated with 9/11 is a disqualifier for the presidency — or really, having any job." But Trump did joke about canceling the rally because of his "bad hair day," and Colbert had some thoughts.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

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.