Colbert gleefully responds ‘I won’ to insults from Trump
NEW YORK — Stephen Colbert has gleefully responded to insults hurled his way by President Donald Trump, cheering because he finally got Trump to say his name.
Trump told Time magazine that Colbert was a “no-talent guy” and “there’s nothing funny about what he says.” The president also took credit for Colbert’s improved ratings, saying he didn’t start doing better until he started attacking Trump.
Colbert responded on his CBS “Late Show” on Thursday. As if talking to Trump, Colbert said “don’t you know I’ve been trying for a year to get you to say my name?” He added: “I won.”
“Making jokes about you has been good for ratings,” Colbert said. “It’s almost as if a majority of Americans didn’t want you to be president. But you know who’s got really bad ratings these days? You do.”
Colbert eclipsed NBC’s Jimmy Fallon to make CBS’ “Late Show” the most-watched program in late night right after Trump’s inauguration.
Trump said Colbert’s show was “dying” until the relentless attacks began. The president also said that when he was on Colbert’s show, “it was the highest ratings he ever had.” This statement was incorrect. Trump’s visit to the show on Sept. 22, 2015, was seen by 4.6 million people — the second biggest audience Colbert has had on the “Late Show.” His premiere two weeks earlier drew 6.6 million, the Nielsen company said.