In a recent episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, America’s brush with tragedy was discussed following the GOP convention. Stephen Colbert addressed the near-tragic event that unfolded at a political rally in Pennsylvania, where a 20-year-old gunman shot and nearly killed a former president and the newly nominated 2024 Republican candidate. Expressing horror, relief for Donald Trump‘s safety, and grief for the country, Colbert highlighted the need for a conversation about violence in politics.
Colbert shared his reaction to the shocking incident, stating that violence has no place in our political discourse. He emphasized that democracy should be about resolving differences through ballots, not bullets. He reminisced about earlier instances of violence, recalling the memory of watching Bobby Kennedy’s funeral on his parents’ black and white TV when he was young. Colbert acknowledged that, whether driven by extremist politics or mental illness, violence still plagues society, referencing incidents like the shooting at a GOP baseball practice or the plot to harm Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
The motives of the recent shooter seemed contradictory, exhibiting a puzzling blend of affiliations with both democratic and republican groups. Although his motivations remain unclear, Colbert stressed that understanding them is not necessarily our responsibility. Instead, as American citizens, we need to reject violence and violent rhetoric. He quoted Representative Steve Scalise, who was shot in a prior incident, asserting that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Colbert reiterated that violence or any advocacy for violence invalidates ideas.
In light of this tragedy, political leaders from both sides of the aisle, including President Biden and Speaker Johnson, have called for a change in how we see, treat, and speak to one another. While it remains to be seen if this change will materialize, conflicting ideas will persist. Colbert noted that the upcoming conventions in Milwaukee and Chicago will focus not only on the candidates but also on the ideas they represent and the future they envision for America.
In the days following the attack, The Late Show aims to discuss these ideas, the people behind them, and various other topics. Colbert mused that if they’re lucky, they might even include some fart jokes. The Late Show continues to provide a platform for open dialogue, promoting a better understanding of the ideas that drive our nation forward.
