Colbert takes on Trump over grand jury, conversations with world leaders

Stephen Colbert lambasted President Trump on “The Late Show” on Thursday night, joking about the newly revealed grand jury impaneled for the investigation into Russian election meddling, as well as the transcripts of the president’s phone calls with world leaders published Thursday.  

“I’m gonna say something right now nobody has ever said before: ‘God, I wish I had jury duty,'” the CBS late night host said. “I’m available.” 

Special counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury as part of the ongoing investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. Mueller is looking into any possible connections between the Trump campaign and the Russian government and if Trump obstructed justice with his firing of FBI Director James Comey. 

“This news means the investigation into Russian meddling is kicking up into another gear,” Colbert said. “We will have more on this, I bet you anything.” 

{mosads}

Colbert also took on Trump for his conversations with two world leaders early in his presidency, the transcripts of which were published by The Washington Post on Thursday. 

The host said the leaker should not have released the documents, asserting that Trump should have privacy in speaking with other world leaders. “But you did,” Colbert said, “so let’s just keep going.”

In his phone call with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Trump brought up his demand that Mexico pay for a wall its border with the U.S., saying “Believe it or not, this is the least important thing we are talking about.” 

When Peña Nieto said he remained firm in his stance that Mexico would not pay for the wall, Trump urged him not to “say that to the press,” citing his campaign promise to have Mexico pay for it. 

Colbert mocked the president’s response, saying in Trump’s voice, “Enrique, here’s what you do, just lie to them. And later, when you’re caught, just call it fake news. It works.” 

Trump also spoke with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after taking office regarding an agreement between the U.S. and Australia brokered during the Obama administration to swap refugees for resettlement.

“I hate taking these people. I can guarantee you they are bad … they are not going to be wonderful people who go on to work for the local milk people,” Trump said. 

Colbert called out the president for the comments, saying “for someone who talks constantly about representing the forgotten men and women, the little people working the little jobs, he can’t even remember the job ‘dairy farmer.'”