Colbert Audience Laughs at CNN, Walz's Outrageous COVID Crackdowns, and Previewing Trump vs. Harris Debate, with The Fifth Column | Ep. 861

Update: 2024-08-14

Digest

The episode begins with an introduction to the Megan Kelly Show and a brief update on the 2024 presidential race. New reporting from Cook Political Report suggests that VP Kamala Harris has closed the gap with former President Trump in battleground states. The hosts discuss the reasons behind Kamala Harris's recent surge in popularity, questioning whether it's genuine or a result of media manipulation. They also discuss the controversy surrounding Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, Harris's running mate, and his response to accusations of stolen valor. The hosts delve into the accusations of stolen valor against Tim Walz, focusing on his claims of being a retired command sergeant major despite only reaching the rank of E8. They discuss the implications of this controversy and how it might affect the Harris campaign. The hosts debate the double standard of scrutiny applied to military veterans who run for office. They argue that while some scrutiny is warranted, excessive scrutiny can be unfair and partisan. They also discuss the emotional response of a retired US Army officer to Walz's alleged stolen valor. The hosts analyze the political implications of the stolen valor controversy, particularly in relation to the upcoming election. They discuss how the controversy might affect the campaigns of both Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, and how it could be used as a political attack by the Trump campaign. The hosts shift their focus to Tim Walz's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, criticizing his handling of the situation and his policies, particularly those related to lockdowns and law enforcement. They argue that his actions during this time could be a major liability for the Harris campaign. The hosts discuss the potential impact of the stolen valor scandal on the upcoming election. They argue that while Walz's actions might not directly affect Harris's campaign, they could be a major factor if he were at the top of the ticket. They also analyze the effectiveness of a political ad targeting Walz's military record. The hosts discuss the importance of effective political ads and how they can be used to sway voters. They analyze the effectiveness of a recent ad targeting Tim Walz's military record and discuss how similar ads could be used to highlight the shortcomings of other candidates. The hosts argue that Tim Walz's most significant vulnerability lies not in his military record but in his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They discuss the public's negative perception of his actions during this time and how it could be used against him in the upcoming election. The hosts advocate for a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They argue that such a commission is necessary to provide a clear and accurate account of events and to address the public's concerns about the pandemic's handling. The hosts discuss the importance of transparency and accountability in government, particularly in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. They argue that the public deserves to know the truth about the government's actions and that a truth and reconciliation commission could help to achieve this. The hosts explore the connection between the government's COVID-19 policies and the January 6th insurrection. They discuss how the policies, particularly those related to lockdowns and business closures, contributed to the anger and frustration that fueled the insurrection. The hosts emphasize the importance of strong leadership in times of crisis, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. They argue that voters should consider a candidate's judgment and ability to handle difficult situations when making their decision. The hosts discuss the left's continued denial of the government's overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic. They argue that the left's refusal to acknowledge their mistakes could be a major factor in the upcoming election. The hosts analyze the left's justification for the COVID-19 lockdowns, arguing that they believe their actions were necessary and justified. They discuss how the left has framed any opposition to their policies as conspiracy theories and lunacy. The hosts discuss the Trump campaign's need for message discipline in order to win the upcoming election. They argue that the campaign needs to focus on key issues like the economy and immigration and avoid distractions like crowd size controversies. The hosts discuss Trump's recent campaign struggles, particularly his lack of focus and discipline. They argue that his recent behavior is reminiscent of his 2016 campaign and that it could cost him the election. The hosts discuss the potential impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy on the upcoming election. They argue that his candidacy could benefit Trump by drawing votes away from Kamala Harris, particularly among independent voters. The hosts reiterate the need for Trump to focus on key issues like the economy and immigration and avoid distractions like crowd size controversies. They argue that his recent behavior is not helping his campaign and that he needs to be more disciplined. The hosts discuss the frenetic nature of the 2024 election, highlighting the wild swings in the political landscape and the unpredictable nature of the race. They argue that the campaign is unlike any they have seen before. The hosts argue that the Trump campaign needs to move beyond complaining about Kamala Harris's inaccessibility and the media's bias. They believe that this strategy is not effective and that Trump needs to focus on winning over voters. The hosts discuss Trump's recent comments about Kamala Harris's appearance, arguing that they are misogynistic and disrespectful. They criticize the media's reaction to his comments, which they believe is overly sympathetic to Harris. The hosts discuss the media's bias and the decline of late-night comedy. They argue that late-night shows have become overly partisan and that they no longer provide objective commentary on political issues. The segment begins with a discussion about Don Lemon's coverage of the news, specifically his questioning of JD Vance's sexuality. The conversation then shifts to the use of the egg emoji in online discussions, with a trans friend of the host providing insight into its meaning. The discussion focuses on Tim Walz's policies, particularly his stance on transgender issues and his removal of a line from Minnesota's human rights law that explicitly excluded pedophiles from its protections. The host argues that Walz's actions are harmful to children and that his policies are driven by radical ideology. The conversation explores the impact of culture war issues on politics, specifically the potential for these issues to influence the upcoming election. The host believes that while issues like tampons in boys' bathrooms may not be the most important, they can still sway voters and create a sense of unease about the direction of the culture. The host anticipates the upcoming debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz, suggesting that it will be more traditional than a Trump debate. The host also discusses Kamala Harris's performance in the vice presidential debate, noting that she was more polished than her usual self but still came across as condescending. The conversation revisits the 2020 presidential debate, specifically the moment when Donald Trump refused to condemn white supremacists. The host criticizes Trump's actions and argues that he lacked the courage to be a leader. The discussion then shifts to Kamala Harris's performance in the debate, with the host finding her to be annoying and condescending. The host emphasizes the importance of truth and respect in politics, arguing that leaders should tell the American people the truth, even if it's uncomfortable. The host also criticizes the use of canned lines in debates, arguing that they make politicians look insincere. The host discusses the censorship of a Ronald Reagan biopic on Facebook, arguing that it's a sign of the platform's overcautiousness in the wake of the 2016 election. The host believes that Facebook's actions are based on a lie that the platform influenced the outcome of the election and that they are now overly cautious to avoid further blame. The host discusses the Democratic National Convention and the list of influencers invited to attend. The host expresses concern about the inclusion of Jeffrey Marsh, a non-binary influencer who promotes controversial views on gender and sexuality. The host believes that Marsh's presence is a mistake and that the Democrats have made a misstep in trying to be inclusive. The host announces the launch of her Patreon, a platform where fans can pay for exclusive content and private communication. The host emphasizes that it's not an \"OnlyFans\" platform but a way for her to connect with her audience on a more personal level.

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