Stephen Colbert responded to a Proud Boys member who invoked The Late Show host's name when complaining about not being able to get a fair trial due to “negative press and media coverage.”
In his monologue during Wednesday's show, Colbert mentioned Proud Boys member Joseph Biggs–who is among four other leaders of the far-right extremist group charged with seditious conspiracy tied to the January 6 attack on the US Capitol to prevent the presidential transfer of power through physical violence.
You can watch the full monologue below:
"It's a serious charge," said Colbert, noting Biggs could face a maximum sentence of 20 years.
"By the time he gets out, this Proud Boy is gonna be a proud member of the AARP," he joked.
The court issued a statement saying Biggs requested to move his trial away from Washington D.C. "In view of the increased and unquestionably spectacular 24/7 negative press and media coverage about the fraternity known as the Proud Boys."
In response to the casual descriptor of the neo-fascist group, Colbert quipped, "Oh that's right, the Proud Boys is just a 'fraternity'" and the events of January 6 were just a "hazing."
As an example, he introduced a clip of the MAGA crowd chanting "Spank Mike Pence," while they were storming the Capitol building.
Colbert then mentioned how Biggs' attorney argued his client was unable to get a "fair trial" thanks to "this week's televised hearings of the House Select Committee on January 6" and all the media coverage from "Morning Joe to Stephen Colbert's Late Show."
The name-dropping of his show elicited a raucous response from the studio audience, which made Colbert fake an emotional reaction.
"You know folks, I do a lot of jokes about these violent fascists," he said, adding he felt "so seen" after the shout-out in court.
The comedic host said Biggs wants to move the trial because shows like Colbert's "continue to saturate the jury pool of media-obsessive Washington D.C"–which basically meant they want the trial to take place where the Proud Boys have "a better reputation, like 1930s Berlin."
When Newsweek asked for a message in response to the defendant blaming Colbert for negative media coverage, Colbert said he wanted Biggs and the potential jury pool to hear him say:
“You are going to jail you neo-numbnut, and if you don’t like it, you can come and get me."
"My name is Joe Scarborough and I love coffee. Welcome to the monkey house, brother."
In addition to Biggs, the Justice Department charged the head of the Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, and three other leaders of the extremist group for seditious conspiracy in the January 6 Capitol attack.
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