WATCH: Stephen Colbert saying CNN reports 'news as it is' in Kaitlan Collins' presence cracks up viewers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Stephen Colbert's claim that CNN is an "objective" news source during an interview with Kaitlan Collins sparked laughter among his New York City audience of his 'The Late Show'.
The reaction came during Colbert's Tuesday, August 13 show, when CNN anchor Collins appeared as a guest.
The unexpected response highlighted the audience's perception of CNN, even though the host did not intend to make a joke.
Stephen Colbert's 'objective' remark on CNN sparks laughter
NEW: Audience starts cracking up after a serious Stephen Colbert tells CNN’s Kaitlan Collins that CNN “just reports the news as it is.”
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 13, 2024
Remarkable.
Colbert: “I know you guys are objective over [at CNN], you just report the news as it is.”
Audience: *Laughs hysterically*… pic.twitter.com/9R8iv2UXeN
During the interview, Kaitlan Collins discussed several topics, including the challenges Donald Trump faces with his campaign, particularly in dealing with Vice President Kamala Harris as a new opponent.
Collins noted that Trump had been thrown off by the change in the Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden stepped aside in late July, adding that Trump had "really struggled" to find effective attack lines against Harris.
"Trump really has struggled with how to go after someone who's 20 years younger than him, who is a different gender, a different race. It's kind of been this moment where he has not been able to coalesce around a single attack line," said Collins.
Colbert, attempting to compliment Collins' news organization, stated, "I know you guys are objective over there; that you just report the news as it is," per Fox News.
To his surprise, the audience reacted with laughter. The reaction seemed to catch both Colbert and Collins off guard, leading Collins to ask, "Was that supposed to be a laugh line?" Colbert admitted that it wasn't meant to be a joke but conceded, "I guess it is."
Elon Musk reacts to CNN's 'objective' remark laughter, says 'public knows'
The clip of Stephen Colbert's remark quickly made its rounds on social media, drawing various reactions from prominent figures.
Charlie Kirk, founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, shared the clip on his platform, commenting, "Even liberals know CNN is functionally a Democrat super PAC."
Stephen Colbert's audience ERUPTS into laughter when Colbert says to guest Kaitlin Collins that CNN is "objective" and "just reports the news."
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) August 13, 2024
COLLINS: "Is that supposed to be a laugh line?"
COLBERT: "No."
Even liberals know CNN is functionally a Democrat super PAC. pic.twitter.com/cKW4urEWcs
Elon Musk, while sharing the clip on X, wrote, "Lmaooo, the public knows."
Senior Senate staffer Rachel Bovard also shared her thoughts on the incident, saying, “lol not even lefties think CNN is objective, which is pretty dang funny.”
lol not even lefties think CNN is objective, which is pretty dang funny https://t.co/q9CPXnSO3r
— Rachel Bovard (@rachelbovard) August 13, 2024
Social media personality Dave Portnoy echoed similar sentiments, writing, "Stephen Colbert trying to say CNN is objective only to have his own crowd laugh at him is objectively funny."
Stephen Colbert trying to say CNN is objective only to have his own crowd laugh at him is objectively funny. pic.twitter.com/kQ8yCPdg16
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 13, 2024
Internet reacts to laughter over Stephen Colbert's 'objective' remark on CNN
Netizens were abuzz with reactions following the audience's response to Stephen Colbert's comment about CNN's 'objective' news reporting. Many people overwhelmingly seemed to side with the claim that CNN was not objective.
One X user penned, "Bwahaha! The audience at Stephen Colbert sure doesn’t think that CNN reports the news. Sorry, Kaitlan Collins." Another user commented, "The people have spoken, CNN is fake news."
The incident continued to draw humorous responses, with one person writing, "LOL!!! CNN is a joke." Someone else remarked, "This is the funniest joke this show has ever made."
One more added, "That was hilarious. They can’t hide it." Another chimed in, "Yeah, it’s actually a laugh line & Stephen knew it would be!"
Stephen Colbert trying to say CNN is objective only to have his own crowd laugh at him is objectively funny. pic.twitter.com/kQ8yCPdg16
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 13, 2024
Bwahaha!
— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) August 13, 2024
The audience at Stephen Colbert sure doesn’t think that CNN reports the news.
Sorry, Kaitlan Collins.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/LNpQ3GOYNt
Yeah, it’s actually a laugh line & Stephen knew it would be!
— 🇺🇸🦅Not ur business Elon!🇺🇸🦅 (@chiefhawk66) August 13, 2024
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