Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, didn’t appear in person on Wednesday’s edition of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” but he was mercilessly mocked as “the Jar Jar Binks of the Senate” in a five-minute segment that was met with uproarious laughter.
Colbert took time on his top-rated late-night talk show to make fun of the “Utah senator and driver’s ed teacher who’s about to become your new stepdad” over his much-publicized attack on the Green New Deal on Tuesday. He showed clips of Lee saying, “This is the real solution to climate change — babies” and “The solution to so many of our problems, at all times and in all places, is to fall in love, get married, and have some kids.”
Lee also was shown using a poster of former President Ronald Reagan firing a machine gun while astride a dinosaur. And of a “Star Wars” creature (a tauntaun), and the cartoon Aquaman astride a giant seahorse — which, he suggested, would be how Alaskans and Hawaiians would be forced to travel if the Green New Deal became law.
Colbert mocked Lee’s suggestion that having babies will solve problems because those children would grow up and find solutions. “American babies, in particular, are likely going to be wealthier, better educated,” Lee said in a clip.
“Really? I’m not sure they’re better educated,” Colbert said. “Have you seen former American baby Mike Lee?”
The late-night host did credit Lee with being inspirational — to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., who tweeted, ‘If this guy can be Senator, you can do anything.’”
The audience burst into laughter and applause, and Colbert himself chuckled. “Maybe it’s good that sea levels are rising, ’cause Mike Lee is going to need some water for that burn,” he said.
Lee also inspired Colbert to do his own presentation, which included a poster of a much-reviled character from the “Star Wars” prequels.
“Sen. Lee, you’re the most embarrassing part of an American institution,” Colbert said. “You, sir, are the Jar Jar Binks of the Senate.”
“The Late Show” airs weeknights at 10:35 p.m. on CBS/Channel 2.
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