The network newscasts reacted to the elevation of Boris Johnson as Britain’s prime minister in the same way they did to Donald Trump: Shock and horror. Media elites are still scratching their heads as to how this series of events has come about, concluding the reason must be steeped in racism. Among them is none other than Late Show host Stephen Colbert.
On Wednesday night’s The Late Show during an interview with actor Jamie Bell, Colbert felt it just to bring race into the conversation. Specifically about the “racism” breeding in America. Later, the British actor scolded, “You have a clown as president.”
Talking about Bell’s new film on skinheads and racists, Colbert used the opportunity to compare:
This is an American story. You're playing an American neo-Nazi. There's been an alarming rise of white supremacists, sort of open white supremacists and white supremacist culture in the United States in th the last, oh, two and a half years. And, uh, yay. And right now, is the same thing happening in England?
Unsurprisingly, Bell played right into Colbert’s hands by responding in kind, “We have a new Prime Minister who encourages that side of things, I think.” The clueless Colbert wondered, “Boris Johnson is a white supremacist?” Uh, no, Stephen, he isn’t.
Then, as any classy visitor would do, Bell took it upon himself to criticize not only his own country of England but also the country that is hosting him on a late night show, America: “You have a clown as a President and now we have a clown as a Prime Minister.” He mocked, “All I'm saying is, anything you guys can do, we can do just as stupidly.”
If America’s ideals were so “stupid” why would Britain want to follow in our footsteps?
Transcript below. Click "expand" to read more:
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
7/24/19
12:32:20
STEPHEN COLBERT: This is an American story. You're playing an American neo-nazi. There's been an alarming rise of white supremacists, sort of open white supremacists and white supremacist culture in the United States over the past oh two and a half years. And-um-yee! And right now, is the same thing happening in England?
JAMIE BELL: Well, we have...
COLBERT: Something similar.
BELL: We have a new Prime Minister who encourages that side of things, I think.
COLBERT: Boris Johnson
BELL: Boris Johnson, yeah.
COLBERT: Is Boris Johnson a white supremacist?
BELL: No.. I don't think. No, I wouldn't say-he's definitely not a white supremacist. But I just think, you know, you have a clown as a President and now we have a clown as a Prime Minister.
COLBERT: Not a white supremacist. Let me take that back.. not a white supremacist. Is he a white enthusiast?
BELL: I would say so, Brexit. All I'm saying is, anything you guys can do, we can do just as stupidly.
