“I know I joke around a lot but I, too, think you should do it,” Oliver said on an appearance on ‘Late Night.’
Stephen Colbert didn’t bother with small talk when John Oliver stopped by Late Night on Wednesday — the two immediately began talking shop about a frequent subject of their shows since 2016: now-President Donald Trump.
Colbert kicked off the discussion by bringing up House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s 8-hour filibuster on the House floor on Wednesday, during which time the Democrat U.S. Representative told story of Dreamers, or undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Democrats including Pelosi are currently holding out on agreeing to a federal budget until Trump and Republicans consider a vote to protect DACA recipients.
“I’m not sure if you know what or if you’re applauding there,” Oliver joked after Colbert broached the subject. “I don’t know if anyone wants Nancy Pelosi to speak for 8 hours. If she read the Harry Potter audio book, we wouldn’t have movies right now.”
When Colbert asked whether Oliver had heard about Trump’s interest in having a military parade akin to the one he saw on Bastille Day during a recent trip to France, Oliver shot back that Trump’s interest in a showing of military riches would not fill “this hole” in his heart.
“I have heard he wants that, but I can tell you, it’s not gonna happen. Whatever his presidency is about,” Oliver said, listing off some emotional troubles Trump might have, “those phallic missiles and everything, [he’s going to realize], no it’s not that, and that is when [we’re really screwed].” Oliver suggested that at some point Trump would go from wanting to fill “this hole” with a display of military power to shooting missiles at North Korea. He’ll think “‘surely I can fill this whole with something,'” Oliver said. “Which he can’t, he’s an emotional vacuum and he’ll die that way.”
After briefly discussing Megan Markle’s wedding to Britain’s Prince Harry (Oliver said he hopes that Markle will pull out at the last minute because royals are “emotionally stunted people”), Colbert brought the conversation back to Trump. He discussed Trump’s reported enthusiasm to speak with Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is heading up the investigation into Russia’s role in the 2016 presidential election, against the advice of his lawyers.
“I don’t doubt that he wants to talk … but they would tackle him to the floor before he got a word out. He would perjure himself,” Oliver said.
Colbert noted that he would thus really like Trump to talk to Mueller, and looked at the camera, imploring and flattering Trump so that he would. Oliver, picking up on the joke, also stared at the camera and made his plea. “I know I joke around a lot but I, too, think you should do it,” he said.
I also think you would do an excellent job. And I too, think you should do it. – @iamjohnoliver also wants Trump to interview with Mueller. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/HsM6dQ62Rv
— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) February 8, 2018
John Oliver Stephen Colbert Late-Night TV