Roger Stone’s commutation should get Stephen Colbert’s attention tonight
By Matt Moore
Roger Stone should be the top story on tonight’s Late Show with Stephen Colbert
In today’s news cycle, a week can seem like an eternity. It’s part of the reason that fans of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert feel like it’s been forever since they’ve heard from the late night television show. That changes tonight in what should be an entertaining and insightful look at the Roger Stone story.
Stone, a political consultant and associate of President Donald Trump, was convicted of witness tampering and lying to investigators in 2019 as part of Robert Mueller’s investigation in Russian election interference. Stone was sentenced to 40 months in prison but that sentence was commuted by President Trump on July 10.
There was an immediate backlash to the president’s decision by those who saw it as rewarding Stone for not implicating Donald Trump. Stone has long been a controversial figure which only added to the controversy surrounding the commutation.
Monday will give late night television its first chance to react to the Stone story. Fans can expect “A Closer Look” from Late Night with Seth Meyers and a special monologue from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has a history of mocking Roger Stone
It certainly won’t be the first monologue dedicated to Roger Stone if that is indeed the route taken by The Late Show. Stone’s appearance, interviews, and political work behind the scenes have frequently caught the attention of Stephen Colbert and his writers.
In Jan. 2019, Stone found himself as the center of attention. With the entire political world watching, the lobbyist and consultant appeared to be soaking it all in. The Late Show had a lot of fun with this, partly because it appeared clear that Stone would be facing severe punishment for his actions.
Colbert appeared to enjoy Stone’s trial and sentencing back in Feb. 2019. Stone’s effort to intimidate and threaten the judge in his case amused Colbert. It seemed like the tide was turning and criminals were actually being held accountable.
It felt like a breath of fresh air for Colbert who has spent the entire Trump presidency calling out corruption and incompetence. With consequences few and far between, it would be easy to think nobody in President Trump’s orbit could be touched. Then Roger Stone had to face the music.
But now after all that, Stone won’t spend any time in jail. He will remain a convicted felon but President Trump ensured that his longtime friend won’t serve any time. Colbert likely knew this was a possibility but that didn’t stop him from enjoying things in the moment.
The Late Show has probably said all it wants to say about Stone, his character, and his role in the 2016 election. Tonight’s monologue may only use Stone’s commutation as a lead-in to another condemnation of President Trump and his disregard for the rule of law. But that’s not to say Stone will be let off the hook completely. Fans should anticipate Colbert to make another addition to Stone’s list of “alter egos.”
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Do you want to hear Stephen Colbert discuss Roger Stone tonight? Share your thoughts in the comment section. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs tonight at 11:35 PM ET on CBS.