Stephen Colbert called out Donald Trump after part of the historic East Wing of the White House was demolished as part of the president’s ballroom project.
The comedian addressed the demolition of the presidential residence during Tuesday’s monologue on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” where he blasted Trump for lying about the extent of the construction plan.
“You think it would be impossible for us to be shocked by Donald Trump. But give this man credit, every now and then he takes the time to put the electrodes on our nipples and then it’s like it’s the first time,” Colbert said. “For example, yesterday, as part of his White House ballroom project, he sent a backhoe to rip off part of the East Wing.”
After Colbert joked that Trump wouldn’t get his “security deposit back,” the late-night host called the construction update “so deeply disturbing.”
“We’re only nine months into Trump’s term and he’s going to Hulk out in the White House,” he continued. “Last time it took him at least four years to bring a demonstration team to the Capitol.”
As he continued, Colbert reminded those listening that Trump “specifically promised that the construction of his ballroom would not touch the current White House.”
“So it was a lie,” he added. “At this point, should we even believe it’s going to end up being a ballroom? It might as well end up being a combination of Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.”
Colbert suggested that the Trump administration knew how bad the protest looked, since the Treasury Department — neighboring the East Wing — instructed its employees not to share photos of the construction.
“It’s not usually something you educate when you’re proud of what’s happening,” Colbert said. “Hey guys, remember no photos at my wedding. And it’s not because I’m marrying a Mariah Carey pillow.”
The White House has already responded to criticism of Trump’s ballroom plan, calling the reaction “manufactured outrage” in a statement released Tuesday.
Watch Colbert’s full monologue above.
“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS.
