Stephen Colbert (1:32)

And I love pistachio ice cream.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (1:34)

Have you had the sea salt and vinegar? Wonderful pistachio. It's delicious. I get them.

Stephen Colbert (1:38)

I didn't even know I get them.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (1:39)

Before the softball games.

Stephen Colbert (1:40)

But that's.

Stephen Colbert (1:40)

You see, it's been a while since I've been the spokesman for wonderful pistachios. I didn't realize we'd achieved new pistachio technology.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (1:45)

Yeah. Yeah.

Stephen Colbert (1:46)

Wow.

Stephen Colbert (1:47)

Wonderful pistachios has every snack style covered. Right now. There's an obsession with jalapeno lime. There is an obsession session. It's almost a disorder. It's spicy, it's zesty. It's basically a flavor roller coaster in a nut. Snacking on the go. Grab a bag of no shells. Feeling contemplative and want to work for it a little. So earning it, they're saying if you want to earn your nut, crack open those in shell beauties. Either way, it's snacking like a champ. So the next time hunger strikes, don't hold back. Unless it's a hunger strike.

Stephen Colbert (2:27)

And Then it's important that you do.

Stephen Colbert (2:29)

Because whatever you're doing that for, I'm sure it's a worthwhile cause. Snack like you mean it with wonderful pistachios. Visit wonderfulpistachios.com to learn more.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (2:41)

That was a wonderful.

Stephen Colbert (2:42)

I wonder what more there is to learn. We just told them so much. We just told them so much about pistachios. But evidently, there's a whole other world. There's an unexplored vista.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (2:54)

They got a bunch of flavors. They got dill pickle, jalapeno lime, as we learned, smoky barbecue. There's a lot of different flavors.

Stephen Colbert (3:00)

Wow. And I would not disparage any of them.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (3:02)

No, no, no.

Stephen Colbert (3:03)

Bring it on.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (3:04)

Nothing bad to say.

Stephen Colbert (3:05)

Nut me, nut. Nut me with nut meat.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (3:08)

We're nut.

Stephen Colbert (3:09)

No, we got nothing but nut. Nutty, nutty, nutty, nutty. Talk about, talk about, talk about, talk.

Stephen Colbert (3:18)

About, talk about nutty.

Stephen Colbert (3:19)

Good.

Commercial Voiceover (3:21)

Why does every recipe I try need 18 ingredients, including a jar of something paste I'll never use again but will sit in my fridge for nine months? I just want dinner in the oven fast. That's why I love Blue Apron's new one Pan, assemble and bake meals. They send you fresh ingredients that are already chopped. All you do is put it all together and bake. That's it. No chopping, no weird leftovers. Just delicious, easy to make meals. Get 20% off your first two orders with code apron20. Terms and conditions apply. Visit blue apron.com for more.

Stephen Colbert (3:55)

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. I want to thank everybody in here tonight. Thank you very much. In here, out there, all around the world, Mr. And Mrs. America and all the ships at sea. I want to welcome everybody to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert, ladies and gentlemen. Look, you're in a good mood. Yeah. Yeah. You're in a good mood. I'm in a good mood because last night, our friend Jimmy Kimmel returned to television. Just so proud of him. So proud to know that man. Jimmy spoke beautifully about free speech and unity. He made great jokes, showed his deep emotions, got huge ratings. It did so well that Disney just announced next summer they're releasing Guillermo and Stitch. Live action. Live action. Wow. Unbelievable. Kimmel's return was also huge on the YouTubes. Right now, his monologue is on track to break his personal record with 12 million views in 12 hours. Congrats, Jimmy. That ain't easy. You know, this business, that's pretty rare. Congratulations. That puts you just 5 billion views behind El Chambo's song with the dancing alien that sings in Spanish. Hit it. Oh, I didn't know. How many views? How many views did that get? Sorry, fascists. You will never silence El Chambo.

Commercial Voiceover (5:40)

Ay.

Stephen Colbert (5:42)

But that wasn't the only victory for free speech yesterday, because a statue of Trump and Epstein holding hands was placed on the National Mall. That's kind of nice. That's really good, detailed work. It's a lovely piece, but I gotta say, not very realistic. Trump can't stand on one leg, not with those cankles. It would be like trying to balance him on a sock full of overripe honeydew. The statue, it's controversial, I mean, obviously, but it's not illegal. The artists responsible were issued an official permit to demonstrate freedom of speech and artistic expression using political imagery by the National Park Service. Good for you, National Park Service. Good for you. And thank you for protecting free speech for almost 24 hours. Because despite the fact that the permit allows the sculpture to stay up until Sunday, early this morning, the US Park Police removed the statue.

Stephen Colbert (6:46)

One second. I just wanted to do this.

Stephen Colbert (6:48)

Okay, cancel Disney worked last time.

Stephen Colbert (6:53)

It's gotta be like, finish that up for me.

Senator Chris Murphy (6:55)

Thanks very much.

Stephen Colbert (6:56)

Park Police offered the explanation that the statute was not in compliance with the permit, but they did not explain how it violated the permit. I think we know how it violated the permit. We've all seen those signs in the National Parks leave no Trace Epstein files. It has become. I'm really just a hoofer. It has become increasingly clear that the President is a thin skinned little devil baby who cannot stand to be giggled at. And with that sensitivity in mind, I'd like to replay this clip from yesterday of him getting on an escalator at the un he gets down and boop, rejected. Oh, that's tough. And not to brag, sir, but the Late Show's escalator is doing just fine. Get him. I do not have the knees for that bit much longer. So what caused it? Well, it was reported in the Times of London that to mark Trump's arrival, UN staff members have joked that they may turn off the escalators and elevators so he has to walk up the stairs. Okay, I understand the impulse, but is it really a prank to help somebody get their steps in? Guys, when Brian's asleep tonight, we're going to cover his face with moisturizer. That way when he wakes up, he's ready for the day. Trump's press secretary, Caroline Levitt, was on the Fox last night and assured us. Maybe she says something you like. You don't know, let's not prejudge her. And she assured us that top minds are on the case.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (9:06)

I know that we have people, including.

Stephen Colbert (9:07)

The United States Secret Service, who are looking into this to try to get.

Guest or Co-host (9:11)

To the bottom of it, and it.

Stephen Colbert (9:12)

Is not going to be easy to get to the bottom of it. It was an up escalator the whole time it's going. She also had a stern threat for the evildoers posting. If someone at the UN Intentionally stopped the escalator as the President and the first lady were stepping on, they need to be fired and investigated immediately. Yes, it's time to call in escalator investigator. Welcome. Let us descend into the maelstrom of this complicated case. Our first clue comes from a UN Spokesperson who explained that the escalator stopped because the safety mechanism was inadvertently triggered by someone who was ahead of the president on the escalator, likely Trump's videographer. Well, that deescalated quickly. Escalator investigated when he was. How's the hair? Hair still good. While he was at the un Trump sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And after the meeting, he posted, I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back. Original form. What? How do you. I don't. Huh? What the. Mr. Roll out the red carpet for Putin to suddenly Slava Ukraine. Did he get kicked in the head by a horse? I'd also like to publicly announce my love for my favorite child, Eric, and congratulate the young and vibrant Joe Biden on his win of the 2020 election. Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta go eat this salad and watch my favorite show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, so. And I don't have the quads for that Bitmo song either, so. Why the sudden about face? Nobody knows. But for weeks now, word from inside the White House is that the President feels he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. And to get it, he's engaging in a public campaign to snag the award. Because we all know publicly campaigning is always how you take home the Nobel Prize. Who can forget Desmond Tutus for your consideration? Billboards. What can Tutu do for you? You to snag the trophy. To snag the trophy. Trump keeps claiming that he's ended seven wars, including one no one's ever heard of. We're forging peace agreements and we're stopping wars. Cambodia and Armenia. It was just starting, and it was a bad one. Think of that. Yeah. Yeah, think of that. Not too hard because Cambodia is here and Armenia is here, 4,000 miles away. I've stopped so many wars, folks. The one between Madagascar and Honduras, the Tatooine in Portlandia, the raging conflict between Azerbaijan and how do you say this? Hey, I got some good news for you. Someday, Trump won't be in the White House unless, that is, unless he accepts a cabinet position from President the Rizzler. And he's getting ready for his post presidency. Because we just learned that Trump has chosen downtown Miami Presidential Library, which is perfect because that's why everyone goes to Miami for the books. Just like in that Gloria Estefan song reading. The library's already got a pretty big war chest because the 15 million dollar settlement ABC paid Trump went to the library, as well as the $16 million Paramount bid. Meanwhile, your local library can't afford to clean the dried oatmeal off of their copy of Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping. This library is going to be a whole big thing. First, you might remember Trump's luxury 747 Boeing aircraft gift from Qatar turned over to the library. And Trump wants it to be part of a larger development that would include an adjacent hotel. His library will have a plane and a hotel, so it's just going to be one Hudson News away from being LaGuardia in election news, a California woman has been charged after her dog allegedly voted in two elections. Ruh Roh, the Orange county district attorney, says the woman registered her dog as a voter and submitted mail in ballots under the dog's name in two elections. Which explains why the winner of the 2022 California Senate race was chicken on the floor. We got a great show for you tonight.

Commercial Voiceover (15:18)

Coming up. Senator Chris Murphy.

Commercial Voiceover (15:24)

You just realized your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. Stop struggling to get your job posts seen on other job sites. Indeed's sponsored Jobs help you stand out and hire fast. With sponsored Jobs, your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want faster and it makes a huge difference. According to Indeed data, sponsored jobs posted directly on Indeed have 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. Plus with Indeed sponsored jobs, there are no monthly subscriptions, no long term contracts, and you only pay for results. And listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more visibility@indeed.com listen just go to indeed.com listen right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com listen terms and conditions apply Hiring indeed is all you need.

Commercial Voiceover (16:22)

Ah, DSW Earth, place of the humblebrag Here, the shoes are so good, no one would ever know how little you paid if you didn't go telling everyone that is. And with never ending options for every style, mood and occasion, all at really great prices, we'll definitely give you something to brag about. So go ahead, stock up on fresh sneakers from your favorite brands or try those boots you always secretly knew you could pull off. Find the shoes that get you at prices that get your budget at DSW stores or@dsw.com Let us surprise you.

Stephen Colbert (16:55)

Folks. My first guest tonight is currently in his third term as a senator from the great state of Connecticut. Please welcome back to THE Late Show Senator Chris Murphy. Before we get into anything else, right off the top, I just want to point out and let everybody know that you've been a tireless advocate for gun.

Stephen Colbert (17:18)

Control for years now.

Senator Chris Murphy (17:20)

And.

Stephen Colbert (17:22)

As you know, and I think most of the people out here know today, there was another tragic shooting.

Senator Chris Murphy (17:27)

Yeah.

Stephen Colbert (17:28)

This time at an ICE facility down in Dallas. We don't know a lot about it so far. What goes through your mind when you hear about another shooting like this?

Senator Chris Murphy (17:43)

Well, Stephen, you're right. We don't know all the details here. But, but what really goes through my mind first is the families in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Right. I mean, I lived through that horror. Those parents, you know, were my age at the time, are now friends of mine. And I know how your life is fundamentally changed. The trauma that ripples through a family and a community when you lose a loved one. We know there's one person dead here, two critically injured. And for me, it's first and foremost about the victims. And it's then quickly about this anger, this anxiety that we all have about why we can't make a simple decision as a nation to put an end to this violence, whether it be mass violence, whether it be shootings on our streets, whether it be political violence. And we don't yet know the motives here, but we are obviously amidst a moment with an increase in political violence. And it just shouldn't matter. It shouldn't matter whether the radicalization comes from the right or the left or some non ideological place in the deep dark recesses of the Internet. This president, our entire political process could make a decision to draw a line in the sand. And it just sickens me that we have a president who instead of trying to stand up and say wherever the violence comes from, it's unacceptable, is politicizing this moment. So it's about the victims, and it's about a mourning of a loss, of a potential moment to bring this country together.

Stephen Colbert (19:10)

Well, I mean, there really has been much movement to rein in the access to, you know, long guns and many.

Stephen Colbert (19:25)

Of the weapons that are used in these killings.

Stephen Colbert (19:27)

But I mean, hopefully, maybe there could be a political sea change in the United States.

Stephen Colbert (19:30)

We just saw an unexpected change the.

Stephen Colbert (19:32)

Other day at the un President Trump, who had basically told, you know, Zelenskyy in the White House earlier in the.

Stephen Colbert (19:38)

Year, you don't hold any of the cards. You're no negotiating position here.

Stephen Colbert (19:42)

You're losing this war. He said he met with Zelensky and then he came out in support of Ukraine and said that Ukraine could win the entire country back, including Crimea.

Commercial Voiceover (19:51)

Right.

Stephen Colbert (19:53)

What happened? Do you know? Do you have any idea why that would happen?

Senator Chris Murphy (19:58)

Yeah, well, I mean, that's what happened yesterday. Right. And something. And something different will happen tomorrow. No, I mean, it's like, you know, every day on Ukraine and tariffs, he's just rolling the dice, and one day it's 5, and the next day it's an 11. The fact of the matter is, he has done nothing substantive to help Ukraine win this war. He has had the opportunity to push Congress to pass new sanctions against Russia. He has stopped that legislation from proceeding. He has had the opportunity to bring a new funding bill before Congress to make sure that Ukraine has everything that they need. So despite what he said at the UN yesterday, the actions don't match his words. And at some point, the only way that Ukraine is going to win this war, recapture territory, is for the United States to make a bipartisan commitment to make sure that Ukraine wins and Russia loses. I hope he does that. Puts his money and his political advocacy where his mouth was yesterday.

Stephen Colbert (21:00)

We were talking earlier in the show. They're all happy that our friend Jimmy's back on the air, which is lovely. You're a big advocate of free speech. You gave a warning. But before we get into that, I just want. I've got a little bone to pick with a video you posted this weekend.

Senator Chris Murphy (21:15)

Stephen Colbert is gone. Jimmy Kimmel is gone. Now, you need to see what is happening right now. It is the systematic destruction of free speech in this country.

Stephen Colbert (21:26)

I'm right here. Yeah, I mean, I know. I read my pink slip. I know what's coming in May. I'm not saying you're just a little bit ahead of the ball here.

Senator Chris Murphy (21:37)

Yeah, no. When I watch that back, it does look like I don't believe you exist.

Stephen Colbert (21:41)

Right. And you do Exist not just in your heart.

Senator Chris Murphy (21:46)

I apologize.

Stephen Colbert (21:47)

No, no, no, I accept. I accept. But isn't this is a little bit of a crazy moment right now?

Senator Chris Murphy (21:56)

Yeah, it is. And I just do think we need to sort of understand what they are trying to do overtly.

Stephen Colbert (22:05)

Like he's saying, and Kimmel's next. When I was dismissed. And then after this, Fallon and Seth are next. Like there's no other way to sugarcoat this.

Senator Chris Murphy (22:14)

That's exactly right. And what he is trying to do is send a signal to everybody else who either has a mouthpiece on television or the Internet or is involved in the political process that there will be a price to pay for speaking up. Sometimes that price will be that you lose your job or you lose your position on a media outlet. Other people will actually go to jail over engaging in free speech. And what is so important is that in the wake of that cancellation of the Jimmy Kimmel show, this country decided to stand up, decided to say enough is enough. Hit that, hit that cancel button on their Disney subscription. Enough that Disney changed their mind. And so this was a moment of, you know, real crisis. But it was a moment where the country decided that it's not too late. This nation has decided we are not going to be afraid of a would be dictator. That we still have power, commercial power and political power. And I think it's evidence of what is to come.

Stephen Colbert (23:15)

We have to take a quick break. We'll be right back with more Senator Chris Murphy. Everybod.

Commercial Voiceover (23:24)

Thanks for selling your car to Carvana. Here's your check.

Stephen Colbert (23:27)

Whoa.

Senator Chris Murphy (23:27)

When did I get here?

Commercial Voiceover (23:28)

What do you mean?

Senator Chris Murphy (23:29)

I swear it was just moments ago.

Stephen Colbert (23:30)

That I accepted a great offer from Carvana online. I must have time traveled to the future.

Commercial Voiceover (23:35)

It was just moments ago. We do same day pickup. Here's your check for that great offer.

Stephen Colbert (23:39)

It is the future.

Senator Chris Murphy (23:41)

It's.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (23:42)

It's the present and just the convenience of Carvana. Sorry to blow your mind.

Stephen Colbert (23:46)

It's all good.

Stephen Colbert (23:46)

Happens all the time.

Commercial Voiceover (23:48)

Sell your car the convenient way to Carvana.

Stephen Colbert (23:52)

Pick up.

Commercial Voiceover (23:52)

Times may vary and fees may apply.

Guest or Co-host (23:54)

The first few weeks of school are in the books. Now it's time to keep that momentum going. IXL helps kids stay confident and ahead of the curve. Teachers move fast, but IXL keeps your child right on track. Building skills at the same pace they're learning in school. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that helps kids truly understand what they're learning, whether they're brushing up on math or diving into social studies. It covers math, language arts, science, and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. With content that's engaging, personalized, and, yes, actually fun. It's the perfect tool to keep learning going without making it feel like school. If your child is struggling, this is the smartest investment you can make. A single hour of tutoring costs more than a month of IXL make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now. And listeners of this podcast can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixlearning.com audio. Visit ixcelearning.com audio to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

Stephen Colbert (24:59)

We're here with Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy. Trump, after Jimmy was.

Stephen Colbert (25:07)

We found out that Jimmy was going back on there.

Stephen Colbert (25:09)

Trump tweeted, he threatened lawsuits against ABC.

Stephen Colbert (25:13)

You know, he's gonna like, oh, we got $16 million last time.

Stephen Colbert (25:16)

This will be even more lucrative.

Stephen Colbert (25:17)

You know, without saying, why are you.

Stephen Colbert (25:19)

Besides being a senator, are you a lawyer?

Senator Chris Murphy (25:21)

I mean, I'm kind of a lawyer.

Stephen Colbert (25:22)

Kind of a lawyer. You went to law school?

Senator Chris Murphy (25:24)

Yeah, I practiced law badly for four years.

Stephen Colbert (25:26)

Okay, great. Well, I understand it badly. So we're even. What would even be like the tort here? Where is this standing to sue ABC because they decided to continue to employ someone?

Senator Chris Murphy (25:36)

Yeah. I mean, of course there's no actionable claim here, but there wasn't an actionable claim. No.

Stephen Colbert (25:41)

On any of these cases against the networks?

Senator Chris Murphy (25:43)

No. What he suggests is that speaking against him is an illegal campaign contribution to Democrats. Well, then the entirety of Fox News is one big illegal campaign contribution to Trump. But it's not. It's not. Because if you want to be a TV network that, that loads up coverage criticizing the President, you can. If you want to be a TV network that loads up support for the President, you can. The problem here is that as the judiciary is populated with Trump appointed judges who don't care about the law, when the Department of Justice is turned into a witch hunt operation on behalf of Donald Trump's pursuit of his enemies, whether or not there's an actual actionable claim might not matter. And so that's why there's an urgency to this moment to save our democracy. Because you could have the entirety of the judiciary rigged and the underlying law not matter. That's why the moment is so serious.

Stephen Colbert (26:41)

Okay, well, it's government shutdown season again.

Senator Chris Murphy (26:45)

Yeah. You're welcome.

Stephen Colbert (26:47)

October 1st.

Stephen Colbert (26:48)

October 1st.

Stephen Colbert (26:49)

That's when it is.

Stephen Colbert (26:50)

Okay.

Stephen Colbert (26:51)

So I assume the Democrats would like the government to continue.

Senator Chris Murphy (26:55)

We would like the government to continue. Operating.

Stephen Colbert (26:57)

And would the Republicans like it to continue?

Senator Chris Murphy (27:00)

So the Republicans seem to be gearing for a shutdown, and there's all sorts of evidence.

Stephen Colbert (27:04)

What's it over this time, by the way? Because I can never quite figure out what it was really about. Just the bill doesn't pass and then the government shuts down.

Senator Chris Murphy (27:13)

Well, I think what it's. I mean, what it's really about is that the Republican Party wants to destroy government. And one of the quickest ways to do that is to precipitate these crises. You starve the oxygen, you starve the oxygen out. What the Democrats want, what our priorities are, are pretty simple. There is about to be a giant premium increase on 22 million Americans. We're not asking for some big new health care program. We just want premiums to not go up by 75% in the affordable Care act and the Affordable Care Act. We think that's a pretty reasonable ask.

Stephen Colbert (27:47)

Do you think Senator Schumer's gonna hold a hard line or is he going to give in like he did last March, which made a ton of people mad at.

Senator Chris Murphy (27:54)

Well, I think. Listen, I don't want to speak for Senator Schumer, but I think Democrats right now.

Stephen Colbert (27:56)

Go ahead.

Stephen Colbert (27:57)

It's fine. He won't be mad.

Senator Chris Murphy (28:00)

I think Democrats are united in a couple simple ideas that we have to stand up for people whose lives would be ruined by these massive health care premiums, and then that we have no moral obligation to pay the bills for democracy's destruction. And so if this budget doesn't roll back at least some of the grave damage that's being done to the rule of law, then Democrats have no obligation to support it. I think we can. We can. I think we can grow consensus in the country on those two things.

Stephen Colbert (28:34)

Well, Senator, good luck. Thanks so much for being here. Senator Chris Murphy, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives. And Doug Limu and I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. But now we want you to feel it. Cue the emu music. Limu. Save yourself money today. Increase your wealth. Customize and save. We save. That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Liberty, Liberty Liberty Savings variant by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates excludes Massachusetts.

Commercial Voiceover (29:23)

It's okay not to be perfect with finances. Experian is your big financial friend. And here to help. Did you know you can get matched with credit cards on the app? Some cards are labeled no Ding Decline, which means if you're not approved, they won't hurt your credit scores. Download the Experian app for free today. Applying for no Ding Decline cards won't hurt your credit scores. If you aren't initially approved, initial approval will result in a hard inquiry which may impact your credit scores.

Guest or Co-host (possibly a producer or writer) (29:51)

Experian.