Stephen Colbert Delivered A Sobering Monologue About The Oregon Shooting On ‘The Late Show’
"One of the definitions of insanity is changing nothing and then pretending that something will change."
Stephen Colbert had so far kept the mood on the newly returned Late Show comical and light, but in last night’s episode he took a moment to respond thoughtfully to the mass shooting and killing of nine people in Oregon two days earlier.
“I think that the least that we can do is not pretend to always know what to do or say,” Colbert said, adding, “And in the face of the killings in Oregon yesterday, I honestly don’t know what to do or say.”
“I think pretending is part of the problem,” he said. “These things happen over and over again and we are naturally horrified and shocked when we hear about them, but then we change nothing and we pretend that it won’t happen again.”
“One of the definitions of insanity is changing nothing and then pretending that something will change.”
Just when you think he couldn’t possibly master a more poignant statement, he segues with: “Speaking of honest insanity: Donald Trump.”
After calling Trump “an egomaniacal billionaire”, and letting the US presidential candidate embarrass himself via some choice soundbites, Colbert proclaims “you’re not gonna be president” — to which the audience erupts into a positively fervent applause. Guess they hope its a valid prediction too, huh?
Watch the full segment below: