Stephen Colbert's support for 'climate action' after activists spray paint Stonehenge backfires as he's accused of 'abetting'

Stephen Colbert complained about the weather in New York before saying he is all for 'climate action'
PUBLISHED JUN 22, 2024
Stephen Colbert said he supports climate action after climate activists spray painted Stonehenge (Getty Images, Screengrab/ABC News)
Stephen Colbert said he supports climate action after climate activists spray painted Stonehenge (Getty Images, Screengrab/ABC News)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Stephen Colbert threw a subtle shade at environment activists for spray painting Stonehenge. The comedian addressed the incident during the opening monologue of 'The Late Show' on June 20. 

According to BBC, the 5000-year-old landmark near Salisbury, Wiltshire, was sprayed with orange powder paint by two protesters who are part of the 'Just Stop Oil' campaign group on Wednesday, the day before celebrations were scheduled to begin for the Summer Solstice. Wiltshire Police confirmed the arrest of the persons involved on the suspicion of damaging the ancient monument. Stonehenge is cataloged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected by law.

WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: The full moon sets behind Stonehenge on April 27, 2021 in Amesbury, E
Stonehenge is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (Getty Images)

The group 'Just Stop Oil' shared in a statement that two protesters were Niamh Lynch, a 21-year-old student from Oxford, and Rajan Naidu, a 73-year-old from Birmingham. They further assured that the orange powder paint was cornflour and it would "wash away with rain."

Stephen Colbert's take on the Stonehenge incident

Addressing the incident during his monologue, Colbert stated, "Across the pond, in the UK, folks gathered at Stonehenge, where, yesterday, to protest the UK’s use of fossil fuels, two climate activists spray-painted the landmark orange."

"Now, look, I support climate action, and that makes me want to go buy a Hummer," he quipped with apparent sarcasm. "Good job, fellas!"

"But don’t worry, fellow 'henge-heads, because apparently, the paint will wash away in the rain, and the site remains open, according to the group that manages Stonehenge," he added.



 

The incident has reportedly united both the ruling and opposition parties of the country in their response. While UK Prime Minister and Tory leader Rishi Sunak condemned the incident as a “disgraceful act of vandalism,” leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer said the damage was "outrageous" and described 'Just Stop Oil' as "pathetic."

Internet says Stephen Colbert is 'guilty of abetting' climate vandals 

Right-wingers over the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) mocked Colbert for his comments, as the following tweets demonstrate.

"Oh he has a heart! Finally! These are your people that did this Colbert," wrote a user.



 

"He is guilty of abetting," stated another.



 

"I'm amazed that he doesn't just love it because he's a lefty to the max," expressed a third.



 

"The liberals are now disgusted by their own. What a clown world," quipped a fourth user.



 

"Gotta pick the craziest far left thing to make fun of so it doesn’t make him look biased when he’s going off on Trump," commented a fifth.



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Calls for Pam Bondi’s resignation grew after the Justice Department’s Epstein files release led Republicans to subpoena her over redactions
3 minutes ago
Trump plans to restore the Reflecting Pool and defend privately funded White House projects amid legal challenges
29 minutes ago
According to Brett McGurk, the tone of Donald Trump's speech also signaled potential escalation rather than de-escalation
54 minutes ago
Crow says Trump’s address didn’t explain how or when the Iran conflict will end, fueling criticism that key details and timelines were missing
1 hour ago
Donald Trump stated that the United States could withdraw from Iran 'pretty quickly,' potentially within two to three weeks
1 hour ago
Seth Moulton said Donald Trump lacks a clear plan, warned of risks to US troops, and said he understands deployed Marines from his own experience
1 hour ago
Obama said the transfer was a lawful settlement of a long‑standing dispute and rejected it being ransom, even as Trump revived criticism
1 hour ago
Trump urged countries dependent on Middle Eastern oil to try and secure the Strait of Hormuz, saying they should 'grab it and cherish it'
1 hour ago
Greene slammed Trump’s Iran address, saying it ignored economic priorities and echoed endless war rhetoric as US military operations continue
2 hours ago
Donald Trump said the Iran war is nearing completion within weeks, claiming US strikes crippled Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities
2 hours ago