COLBERT-TRUMP ‘FIGHT’
IT COULD BE the ultimate late night TV show battle – Stephen Colbert against Donald Trump.
Colbert’s onscreen sidekick Jean Batiste feels that it could happen, although we may have to wait a while.
In May, the infamously thinskinned President trashed Colbert to Time, saying he was “filthy,” “unfunny” and a “no-talent host” and “perhaps the dumbest person in broadcasting.”
While Colbert (photo) has seen his ratings skyrocket since former reality star Trump took power, Batiste, 31, says the talk show host would happily trade it in for a different President.
“Speaking on his behalf, he would trade better ratings for a better President,” says the musician. “Absolutely. It hurts him.”
He also says that Colbert was initially unhappy at first skewing his show to political monologues, but has used that unusual challenge to take his performances to a new level.
Batiste says of a Trump appearance on the CBS show: “Anything is possible. I’ll say this, it could happen, but I think there needs to be some time. I think there needs to be a little bit of time.
“The President’s spoken out about the show in the press, so I know at least at the time he watched, and it affected him.
“And I seriously doubt we would refuse him . . . we’re extremely grateful to have them, whatever they believe.”
Colbert has repeatedly offered the President a seat on his sofa, but been met with silence.
“I would say that the President is not necessarily holding out, but I think that that’s a question for him, not Stephen. I think it’s clear based on our record that Stephen would welcome the President or anybody who may have an opposing viewpoint or a difference of opinion. The Mooch (fired White House Communications Director
Anthony Scaramucci) was
an example,” He continued: “We have had guests on from across the spectrum and Donald Trump would be no exception.”
Batiste remembered after the live Election Night 2016 show, Colbert and he sat in the dressing room with the “Daily Show” alum, who was on the verge of tears.
“Stephen believes what we’re doing right now is a service to the community, to the world at large,” explains Batiste. “It’s a mission, so I think that we’re really focused on the mission — speaking the truth and calling BS on things, whatever it is.”