The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is no stranger to lampooning just about anything that comes out of President Donald Trump's mouth, and last night's presidential address, with the president tailored around border security amidst the partial government shutdown, was no exception.
The Late Show presented "The Only Honest Part of the Presidential Address," which you can watch below.
That's right: As far as The Late Show is concerned, the only honest moment of the entire presidential address was when Trump said, "My fellow Americans," but even the word "Americans" was cut off. (Russia? Special Counsel Robert Mueller? The allegations that the president colluded with a foreign power to subvert the 2016 presidential election and take office illegitimately? Any of that ring a bell?)
People ate it up and, much like The Late Show, were snarky for good measure.
Many have criticized the president’s address as one based on lies and racism. The president emphasized the need for a wall along our nation's southern border, suggesting at one point that it was morally imperative.
“Some have suggested a barrier is immoral. Then why do wealthy politicians build walls, fences and gates around their homes?” he said. “They don’t build walls because they hate the people on the outside, but because they love the people on the inside.”
Those claims were debunked ahead of his address by former GOP Representative Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), who said that while both human trafficking and drug trafficking exist, they do not amount to the "crisis" the president claims exists.
“I visited the Southwest border in 2010 when I was working for United States Senator George Lemieux of Florida,” he said. “There was a crisis back then. Things at the border have gotten a lot better over the last 12 years. We’re seeing the number of people attempting to cross illegally drop dramatically, so no, I would not characterize this as a crisis.”
Trump further used the address as an opportunity to fundraise. In an email sent Tuesday afternoon he asked supporters to donate to his “Official Secure the Border Fund” through the Trump Make America Great Again Committee.
“We need to raise $500,000 in ONE DAY. I want to know who stood with me when it mattered most so I’ve asked my team to send me a list of EVERY AMERICAN PATRIOT who donates to the Official Secure the Border Fund,” read the email. “Please make a special contribution of $5 by 9 PM EST to our Official Secure the Border Fund to have your name sent to me after my speech.”
Colbert, for his part, has made headlines for criticizing the president more than once. As recently as December, he said that to "praise anyone's honesty" is equivalent to "throwing shade at Donald Trump."