Stephen Colbert is perhaps the most politically savvy of any major talk show host. The former host of The Colbert Report has turned satirical comedy into outright criticism. His June 4 show began with him talking about President Joe Biden and criticizing him, but inevitably, his focus shifted to Donald Trump.
Colbert said Trump was up for a Q&A. Fox Newsand at one point was asked about his religious views, with viewers sending in comments asking how the former president prayed and how he felt about his relationship with God at this point.
Before launching into his criticism, Colbert played a clip of Trump’s response. “I think it’s good,” Colbert said. “I get on very well with evangelicals. Religion is a great thing… there are good things. I want to be good… I want to go to heaven.”
A recently convicted felon pointed out that if there was no heaven, people would be more likely to take extreme action. “You’re tempted to say, if there’s no heaven, then what?,” he noted. “You’re just tempted to say, if there’s no heaven, then stop being a good person. What difference does that make?”
Cutting abruptly to Stephen Colbert, who simply said, with a confused look on his face, “So…” he drew laughter. The talk show host then went on to point out holes in Trump’s response: “Being good because it’s heaven? That’s like a kid saying, ‘If it weren’t for the Elf on the Shelf, I would have killed my parents. But he is there, and now I want a present.'”
Trump’s religious views have long been a topic of debate. He is popular among those who practice organized religion, particularly evangelicals, and has mentioned evangelicals in his responses. In 2020, Trump became the first president since Dwight D. Eisenhower to change his faith while in office.
“I now consider myself a non-denominational Christian,” Trump said in a statement. “Melania and I have had the privilege of visiting wonderful churches and meeting with great religious leaders from around the world. During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, I have participated in several virtual church services and learned that millions of Americans have done the same.” The president previously identified as a Presbyterian.
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