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

Trump defends law enforcement as Democrats push to curb deportations
36 minutes ago
Scott Bessent said the Banking Committee would move ahead with hearings even as Thom Tillis maintained a hold tied to a DOJ probe into Jerome Powell
1 hour ago
Report alleges lax oversight and over $1M paid per deportee in some cases
3 hours ago
A federal filing said that newly discovered evidence conflicted with the original allegations tied to the January 14 encounter in North Minneapolis
4 hours ago
Steve Scalise mocked Democratic arguments that voter ID laws amount to suppression, calling their debate 'embarrassing'
9 hours ago
Marjorie Taylor Greene said a dispute over the files led to a clash with President Donald Trump, who she claimed threatened to primary her
9 hours ago
GSA deputy cautioned 7-Eleven that denying service to federal agents could threaten its participation in government fuel and fleet programs
10 hours ago
Steve Bannon said protesters were not peaceful and aimed to break the spirit of ICE, adding Donald Trump was trying to accommodate and negotiate
10 hours ago
Wes Moore said he would not attend if the meeting became 'name-calling' and emphasized he 'will work with anyone but bow down to no one'
11 hours ago
Speaking outside the Capitol, AOC linked Republican majorities to Trump’s policy gains and urged voter action in the midterm elections
11 hours ago