In his opening monologue for Thursday’s live post-DNC Late Show episode, Stephen Colbert touched on two of the hottest topics of the night, both the, ultimately false, rumors that Beyoncé would be performing and Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech.
Broadcasting live from Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre following the Democratic National Convention’s closing events, Colbert showed a clip of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper referring to himself as “the last guy standing between you and the moment we are all waiting for.”
“Beyoncé?,” asked Colbert. “No? I’m just asking, I’m just asking! I know the DNC said she wasn’t coming, but TMZ said she was.” The outlet reported that the singer, who allowed Harris to use her song “Freedom” throughout her presidential bid, would be a special guest during the final day of the DNC. This turned out to be false; instead, the convention closed with a speech from Harris and there was no appearance by Beyoncé. A representative for Beyoncé confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that she “was never scheduled to be there.”
Harris opened her speech with a shout out to her “most incredible husband” Doug Emhoff. “Happy anniversary, Dougie. I love you so much,” she added, commemorating their milestone after being married for 10 years. Emhoff reacted to his wife’s mention by blowing a kiss.
Colbert mimicked the kiss and joked, “I’m sorry she didn’t have a gift for you tonight, Doug. But if you wait a couple months, she might get you a new house.”
When Harris referred to her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as “Coach,” Donald Trump took to his own social media platform, Truth Social, to share his reaction. “Walz was an ASSISTANT Coach, not a COACH,” wrote Trump.
“Oh my God! Oh my God,” exclaimed Colbert. “Of course, he was an assistant coach. You know what that means: Walz is only qualified to be some sort of vice president, if you think about it.” The quip was met with roaring applause.
While speaking about Trump, Harris said the former president is “an unserious man.” Colbert showed off his Trump impression, saying, “Not true, Kamala. I am very serious. Just ask my dear friend, the late, great Hannibal Lecter.”
Harris also urged the crowd during her speech to understand that Trump “is not done” with his plans if he is elected to a second term as president. “Madame Vice President, I politely disagree,” said Colbert, “because after you roasted him this hard, I think he’s well done.”
Colbert shared more high praise for Harris’ speech, saying it was “everything we’ve been waiting for all week.”
“She hit her opponent on his policy failures. She hit him on his dereliction of duty. She hit him on his lies, his treason and his crimes, and his crimes and his crimes,” said Colbert. “She is a prosecutor in the trial of Donald J. Trump. He is guilty as charged and now it is time to sentence him to 4 to 8 years of President Harris.”
