Watch Stephen Colbert Slam Trump’s ‘Arm the Teachers’ Plan
Stephen Colbert criticized President Trump’s plan to arm schoolteachers in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting on Thursday’s Late Show.
“The national conversation continues to be how to keep our children safe from gun violence,” Colbert said. “Everyone acknowledges this is a crisis – from the president to the Republican Party to the NRA – every option is on the table … except fewer guns.”
The host then poked fun at Trump’s reliance on the “I hear you” memo at a White House gathering of Parkland victims as well as asking his audience for suggestions on how to curb gun violence. “Donald Trump actually does have a suggestion to deal with the number of guns: He wants more of them,” Colbert added. “Yes, just arm the teachers. I’m sure it’s in the school budget. Sorry your school can’t afford enough copies of To Kill a Mockingbird but, good news, we’re giving you something that could kill any bird.”
Trump would later reiterate his “arm the teachers” plan in an increasingly irrational series of tweets and a school safety discussion, with the president at one point recommending a “bonus” for teachers who received firearm training and carry a concealed weapon to class. “I’m sure that’s in the school budget too! Sorry kids, we had to cut the music program, but you could still watch Mr. Hutchinson polish his Glock in the darkened band room,” Colbert said.
Colbert also touched on CNN’s town hall meeting on gun violence that featured Parkland students as well as Florida senator Marco Rubio. Following that event, many in the media praised the NRA-backed Rubio for even showing up at the town hall, knowing that he’d be the target of ire and frustration regarding gun control.
“Okay, here’s the thing: Just showing up isn’t that impressive. He works for those people,” Colbert said of Rubio.
Watch below: Leaders of the NRA offered a defense for gun rights during the Conservative Political Action Conference.