Comedian Stephen Colbert used his CBS bully pulpit to lash out at President Trump Wednesday night after news of his transgender military ban broke.
“The Late Show” turned serious and personal in the hours after Mr. Trump announced plans to reverse former President Obama’s policy towards transgender military personal. Mr. Colbert told his studio audience that Mr. Trump officially “went of his meds” and crossed a psychological threshold from “crazy to cruel.”
“After consultation with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military,” Mr. Trump said Wednesday via social media. “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you.”
“Thank you?” Mr. Colbert incredulously asked. “F—- you.”
His audience clapped and cheered at the reaction.
“Why the hell would he do this?” Mr. Colbert said. “This isn’t even one of his campaign promises.”
White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters earlier in the day that Mr. Trump’s decision was made after “extensive discussions with his national security team.”
“This was about unit cohesion,” she said. “This was about resources within the military, and nothing more.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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