After CBS Late Show host Stephen Colbert launched into and vicious and vulgar tantrum against President Trump Monday night, the broadcast networks were initially silent on the controversy swirling around the left-wing comedian. However, that silence was broken Wednesday morning when NBC’s Today actually provided a full report on the backlash against the “crude” tirade.
Correspondent Stephanie Gosk began the segment by declaring: “It was the late night joke that left audiences shocked.” A soundbite followed of Colbert’s nasty attack on the President: “You talk like a sign language gorilla who got hit in the head. In fact, the only thing your mouth is good for is being Vladimir Putin’s [bleep] holster.” Gosk explained: “Stephen Colbert used a crude phrase while attacking President Trump during a 12-minute monologue Monday night. The comments received instant backlash online. The #FireColbert trending worldwide.”
She noted that “conservatives pounced,” with a clip featured of Karl Rove on Fox News reacting to the remarks: “I thought that was obscene, I though it was lewd, I thought it was inappropriate. And it shows how out of touch that part of the media is with the rest of America.”
However, Gosk also highlighted how even fellow liberals were denouncing Colbert’s rant: “And it wasn’t just Trump supporters blasting the late night host, some called the comments anti-gay.” The reporter read a tweet blasting the late night host: “Colbert explicitly mocks gay intimacy with the cover of mocking Trump. This is hate speech.” The headline on-screen read: “Colbert’s ‘Homophobic’ Trump Joke?; Comic in Hot Water Over Attack on President.”
After showing Colbert being lambasted across the political spectrum for his cruel comments, Gosk noted that he “ignored the controversy Tuesday night” and wrapped up the report by telling viewers: “...we reached out to CBS, they have not commented on his comments or any of the calls for his dismissal.”
Tuesday’s CBS Evening News and Wednesday’s CBS This Morning both ignored the controversy. ABC News has also avoided the topic.
Here is a full transcript of Gosk’s May 3 report:
7:31 AM ET
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE: And now to the two late night hosts who find themselves in the political cross hairs this morning. NBC’s Stephanie Gosk is here with that story. Steph, good morning to you.
STEPHANIE GOSK: Guys, good morning. You know, late night hosts riff on politics all the time, but it doesn’t always make news. This morning, two of the biggest names in late night are in the headlines for very different reasons because of comments they made in their monologues, and they are both taking political heat.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Comics In the Political Cross Hairs; Colbert, Kimmel at Center of Heated Debates]
GOSK: It was the late night joke that left audiences shocked.
STEPHEN COLBERT [CBS’S LATE SHOW]: You talk like a sign language gorilla who got hit in the head. In fact, the only thing your mouth is good for is being Vladimir Putin’s [bleep] holster.
GOSK: Stephen Colbert used a crude phrase while attacking President Trump during a 12-minute monologue Monday night. The comments received instant backlash online. The #FireColbert trending worldwide. While on cable news, conservatives pounced.
KARL ROVE [FOX NEWS]: I thought that was obscene, I though it was lewd, I thought it was inappropriate. And it shows how out of touch that part of the media is with the rest of America.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Colbert’s “Homophobic” Trump Joke?; Comic in Hot Water Over Attack on President]
GOSK: And it wasn’t just Trump supporters blasting the late night host, some called the comments anti-gay. [Tweet from Yusuf Naqvi] “Colbert explicitly mocks gay intimacy with the cover of mocking Trump. This is hate speech.”
COLBERT: Last night was one of rare times that I did not just watch our show. I also watched our dear friend Jimmy Kimmel.
GOSK: But amid some calls for his firing over the comments, Colbert ignored the controversy Tuesday night. Instead urging his audience to watch competitor Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue from the night before.
COLBERT: I just want to say to anybody out there is if you haven’t seen Jimmy’s monologue last night, it’s an absolutely beautiful heart-felt story.
GOSK: Kimmel in the headlines as well for his emotional monologue.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Kimmel Gets Personal and Political; Reaction From Both Sides of Aisle to Health Care Plea]
JIMMY KIMMEL: Billy was born with a heart disease.
GOSK: Detailing his newborn’s son emergency heart surgery.
KIMMEL: They opened the valve and the operation was a success. It was the longest three hours of my life.
GOSK: But Kimmel’s opening monologue wasn’t just about tiny Billy’s traumatic first few days. He inserted himself directly into the battle over health care.
KIMMEL: You know, before 2014, if you were born with congenital heart disease, like my son was, there was a good chance you’d never be able to get health insurance because you had a preexisting condition.
GOSK: Kimmel praised one of ObamaCare’s signature features, insurance companies can’t deny coverage for people who already have health issues. President Obama took advantage of the moment, tweeting, “Well said, Jimmy. That’s exactly why we fought so hard for the Affordable Care Act, and why we need to protect it for kids like Billy.”
After taking a political stand, Kimmel ended with a heartfelt plea.
KIMMEL: If your baby is going to die and it doesn’t have to, it shouldn’t matter how much money you make. I think that’s something that whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat or something else, we all agree on that, right?
GOSK: The answer to that question may be yes, but how good, affordable health care should be provided still deeply divides this country. What Kimmel reminded everyone with his story about his son is what’s on the line if we get it wrong.
As for that Colbert controversy, we reached out to CBS, they have not commented on his comments or any of the calls for his dismissal.
LAUER: Interesting times, Steph. Thank you very much.
GOSK: You’re welcome.
