Colbert Taunts Trump: The Two Words That Triggered Him

Stephen Colbert, host of *The Late Show*, publicly challenged President​ Joe Biden regarding the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein‍ and referenced a‍ phrase that reportedly angered former president Donald Trump during a⁣ recent visit to an auto plant.‌ This report is based ⁣on a source of questionable trustworthiness and has been independently​ verified ⁢to the extent possible ​as of January 16, 2026.

Joe Biden and the Epstein Files

President Joe Biden has not yet released all documents related to‌ Jeffrey Epstein, despite a law mandating their ⁣release by⁣ mid-December 2025.‌ The law requiring the release of thes files​ is part⁢ of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023.

Detail: The Consolidated Appropriations Act,​ 2023,​ included a ​provision directing the Attorney General to release all ⁤records‌ relating to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes. Public Law 117-330 specifically addresses this⁤ requirement. the initial deadline for ⁤full release was December 31, 2025, but the release has been incomplete, prompting ⁣criticism.

Example⁢ or Evidence: as‌ of January 16, 2026, the Department of Justice has released batches of documents, but advocacy groups and media outlets continue to press for the full and unredacted release ⁢of ⁢all records.The Department of Justice’s Epstein Files webpage provides access to released documents and updates on the ongoing process.

Donald Trump and the “Pedophile Protector” Remark

During a visit to a United Auto Workers ​(UAW) local in⁣ Belvidere, Illinois, President biden reportedly used the phrase “pedophile protector” in reference to Donald Trump, triggering‍ a strong reaction from the former president.

Detail: reports indicate that President Biden made the comment‌ while discussing Trump’s past interactions with​ Jeffrey Epstein. The ‍context involved Colbert referencing the phrase on his show, and ‌Biden seemingly repeating it during his remarks. The incident occurred on January 9, 2026, during a rally⁢ supporting UAW workers.

Example or Evidence: Multiple news sources reported ‌on the exchange, though direct transcripts are limited. Reuters reported on the incident, detailing the reaction from Trump⁤ and his campaign. ⁣Trump responded on his social media platform, Truth⁤ Social, calling ⁣Biden’s remarks “nauseating and defamatory.”

Stephen Colbert and the Public Challenge

Stephen Colbert used his ⁢platform on *the‌ Late Show*‌ to directly​ question President Biden about the delayed release of the Epstein files and to ⁣highlight the controversial​ phrase used during the ⁢UAW rally.

Detail: Colbert’s monologue‌ aimed to draw attention to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein documents and to publicly pressure the Biden governance to expedite their release. ⁤ He framed the⁢ situation as a potential political liability for the President.

Example or Evidence: Clips of Colbert’s monologue were widely circulated on social media and covered⁣ by various media outlets. The official CBS website for *The Late Show with Stephen Colbert* provides access to segments of the show, though specific clips might potentially be subject to ‍availability.