Stephen Colbert calls out Trump for Tulsa rally

Stephen Colbert reacted to President Donald Trump’s rally announcement

President Donald Trump is ready to get back to what he does best: rally his base. The president announced that his first rally since quarantine will take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 19. Given the current state of civil unrest along with the historical significance of the location and date, the announcement was met with immediate backlash. Among those criticizing President Trump is once again Stephen Colbert.

Tulsa is the site of a 1921 race riot and massacre in which the estimated number of deaths went as high as 300. The violence against black residents and businesses in the city’s Greenwood district, also known as Black Wall Street, is considered the worst act of racial violence in the country’s history. The HBO series Watchmen increased awareness of the massacre with its 2019 debut.

June 19 is a holiday to mark the emancipation of the last remaining slaves following the end of the Civil War. It is a significant date in American history and widely celebrated in the African American community.

Given the protests for racial justice and President Trump’s record on race, it is easy to see why so many people questioned the decision to hold a rally on June 19 in Tulsa. During his Late Show monologue on Thursday night, Stephen Colbert claimed the present was openly insulting black Americans.

Stephen Colbert isn’t buying any of the White House’s excuses

Colbert doesn’t expect that President Trump knows the historical significance of Tulsa or Juneteenth. Plenty of past Late Show monologues have shown that the president’s knowledge of American history is not up to par. But the comedian knows that others on Team Trump are likely well aware of the MAGA rally in Oklahoma could be taken as an insult.

The late night host also had an answer to the argument that the rallies don’t need to follow guidelines on social distancing or wearing masks. Colbert notes that an overwhelming number of protestors wear masks and do so outside. He sees this as very different from an arena filled with people sitting side-by-side without masks, no matter what White House officials say.

If the administration was willing to relocate the Republican National Convention to avoid a half-empty arena, Colbert should expect nothing to change regarding the rallies. Public health concerns and racial insensitivity aren’t enough to slow down a president fixated on getting out in front of his supporters.

What did you think of Stephen Colbert’s monologue? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Keep checking Last Night On for more from The Late Show and the rest of late night television.