Stephen Colbert Counters Jeb Bush’s ‘Late Show’ Contest With Raffle
Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush recently sent out an email to supporters trumpeting his visit to the inaugural episode of Late Show With Stephen Colbert and also announcing a contest where, for $3, donors could win a VIP trip to the taping. One problem: No one at Team Jeb! cleared the contest with Stephen Colbert, who responded to Bush’s scheme with one final “pre-show web video” to declare a raffle of his own, Time reports.
“No one from Jeb’s campaign asked me if this was okay with me to raise money off my first show. Where’s my cut of that sweet three bucks, governor,” Colbert said. “I’m sorry I’m yelling, but again, you’re the one who put an exclamation mark at the end of your name.” The “new host” of the “Stephen Colbert Late Show,” as Bush’s email put it, also quipped that, “If you can’t afford $3, you’re probably not voting for Jeb Bush.”
Bush’s contest also promised a dinner with the Bush campaign’s national finance co-chair and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. “Smart move by Jeb to associate his campaign with the winning tradition of the New York Jets,” Colbert joked.
In response to Bush’s contest, Colbert is launching his own raffle: The Jeb Bush on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Raffle-Adjacent Experience at Omaze. For a $3 donation, fans can win a chance to ask Bush one non-obscene question during the Late Show appearance – like “Don’t you wish you consulted Stephen before launching your contest?” Colbert said – and “you’ll maybe even have dinner with his Lead Production Accountant, Jason Block.”
The winner will also receive two VIP tickets to the taping – you might even get to sit next to Bush’s contest winners – as well as four-star hotel accommodations in New York. Those $3 donations will go to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which supports injured soldiers and their families.
Upon learning that Colbert, and not Amy Schumer, was actually the host of the new Late Show, Bush promptly lowered his contest’s entry fee to $1 and also made a donation to the Yellow Ribbon Fund.
.@StephenAtHome I’m in. See you September 8th my man https://t.co/INl40CfrQ4
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) September 3, 2015
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert premieres September 8th with Bush and first guest George Clooney.