Stephen Colbert Protests the RNC: ‘Why Should We Watch Their Reality Show If It Doesn’t Reflect Our Reality?’
Late-night host Stephen Colbert admitted to viewers that he “didn’t do his job” by refusing to watch the Republican National Convention — questioning, “Why should we watch their reality show if it doesn’t reflect our reality?”
Colbert expressed his frustration that President Donald Trump and the Republican Party largely failed to focus on the global pandemic, which has killed 180,000 Americans, ignored police brutality and the violence in Kenosha, and paid no attention to the category four storm hitting the Gulf Coast.
“Now, I know by not watching the RNC, I didn’t do my job tonight. I just want to say, I feel great about it,” he said. “Why should we pay attention to what they’re saying if none of what they’re saying tonight is about what’s happening in America right now? Why should we watch their reality show if it doesn’t reflect our reality? Why subject ourselves to their lies that stick to your soul like hot tar? Lies like ‘Donald Trump cares whether you live or die.’”
The host joked that he was also protesting the convention because of how horribly produced it has been, adding that they gave away who the monster is on the first night: Them.
Colbert then addressed a new CDC guideline that discourages people from getting tested if they are not showing any symptoms of Covid-19, despite the fact that asymptomatic people can still spread the virus.
The host played a clip of Trump exclaiming that if the U.S. did half of the tests they’re currently conducting, there would be half the amount of positive cases. This, of course, is not a logically sound argument because, as Colbert pointed out, “ignoring something does not make it go away.”
“Of course. It’s always the only person you suspect,” Colbert quipped. “Once again, we are watching a basic function of our government that has always been apolitical die in front of our eyes. We are one news cycle away from the CDC warning that mail-in ballots give you chlamydia.”
The host later addressed the police shooting of Jacob Blake and the increasingly violent protests that followed — noting that a vigilante with a semi-automatic rifle, who drove into Wisconsin from out of state, openly fired at a group of demonstrators and killed two people. Police reportedly ignored him and drove past him, despite shouts from protesters telling the officers that he was the gunman.
“This person thought they were a member of the militia and they thought there was such a thing as a militia,” Colbert said. “There isn’t. There are cops, who can legally carry guns and arrest you. And then there are yahoos who can get strapped with an AR-15, buy some camo from an army surplus store, then go role play the fear fantasy that’s been fed to them every night of the past four years.”
The host praised the Milwaukee Bucks for protesting in response to Blake’s shooting, adding that at least somebody was showing some leadership. He then showed a clip of commentator Kenny Smith supporting the players by removing his mic and protesting in solidarity, and another of L.A. Clippers coach Doc Rivers’ emotional response to Blake’s shooting.
“That is why voting in November is so important,” Colbert added. “Because Donald Trump does not care if you live or die of Covid, or racism, as long as he wins.”
Watch above, via YouTube.
