‘Sorrow for my magnificent nation’

Stephen Colbert kicked off Monday’s live edition of “The Late Show” with a pre-taped opener (shot at approximately 7 p.m. ET) discussing the weekend’s murderous battle over Donald Trump, Before going live with his monologue, the commentary was delivered as previously discussed on the first night of the Republican National Convention.

“The United States moved closer to a major tragedy on Saturday when, at a political rally in Pennsylvania, a 20-year-old gunman shot and killed a former president and the man who today became the 2024 Republican nominee. My immediate reaction when I saw this on Saturday was horror at what was unfolding, relief that Donald Trump lived, and, frankly, sadness for my beautiful country.

Colbert noted that the fight ended with the death of a rally attendee – and he noted that, similar to the later American shootings of the alternative generation, he decided to start the demonstration with a solemn opening behind the table.

“Although, I could have easily started the show groaning on the floor, because how many times do we need to learn the lesson that violence has no role in our politics?” He mentioned. “The whole purpose of democracy is to resolve our differences, as the saying goes, by the ballot, not by the bullet.”

Colbert said that a good friend of his later expressed disbelief that there could be a murder conflict in America, though famously noted that “I’m old enough that one of my earliest memories is of a night out with my sister in a dark room.” I have to sit in the room and watch.” Parents watch Bobby Kennedy’s coffin on small black-and-white TVs and a slow-moving train from New York to Washington.

He pointed out that “whether the result of extremist politics or mental illness,” violence is inappropriate on any side of the political aisle – “from the shooting at a GOP baseball practice that seriously injured Steve Scalise to the kidnapping of Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Even conspiracy to commit murder.” From the hammer attack that nearly took the life of Paul Pelosi to the horror of January 6th, this most recent attack so far.

“The motivations of the man who fired the shot seemed conflicting or confusing, at least by the standards of today’s left-right divide,” he said, adding that the shooter was “just out of his childhood.” “someone” who allegedly donated to a Democratic team in 2021, registering as a Republican at the same time.

“So we will never understand their motivation. Nor is it necessarily our job,” he said. “Our job as American citizens is to reject violence and violent rhetoric in this time of crisis, no matter how much we want to fight for our ideas. And in that respect, violence is not only bad, but also useless.”

As Colbert said, “In the wake of this attack on Saturday, many Americans on both sides of the aisle – from President Biden to Speaker Johnson – are calling on all of us to change the way we see each other, the way we treat each other.” are calling for change.” How we talk to each other. And this may or may not happen. Those conflicting views will remain the same. So this week, we’re going to do our best to talk about those ideas, the people who represent those ideas, and many other things with guests, and who knows, if we’re lucky, maybe even a few jokes. Can happen.

After the break, Colbert returned with an actual monologue, and took advantage of the live nature of the episode to comment on speeches, mistakes, and awkward moments throughout the night during the Republican National Conference.

Since this was a live show and there were a dozen people to discuss, Colbert followed up his first success with more monologue in the second act – based on the announcement that “Pillsbury Douche Boy” J.D. Vance was to be his vice president. Selected as a candidate for the post.

Colbert also referred to the “smelling bullcrap” that came from the Florida federal judge’s biased decision on Ellen Cannon after she dismissed the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump.

Monday nights became the first expectation for late night hosts to comment on weekend events; On “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” the host condemned the “appalling” assassination attempt against Trump on Saturday and elaborated that “political violence should be condemned in all its forms,” ​​the “Late Night” host also took a date to highlight how positively right-wing political voices have responded to the attack.

“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is broadcast live from its studio home in New York’s unused Ed Sullivan Theater from Monday, July 15 to Thursday, July 18. Visitors to Monday’s show included former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Sic.). .) and a proficiency through Bikini Blast.

On Tuesday, “The Late Show” will feature Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Ent.) and singer Loudon Wainwright III, with Wednesday’s episode of Generations featuring actor Glen Powell and host/radio character Charlamagne Tha God. The past concluded Thursday with a performance by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and OneRepublic.

Then on occasion, Colbert will broadcast from Chicago’s Auditorium Theater during the Democratic National Convention at Chicago’s Sports Arena from Monday, August 19 to Thursday, August 22.