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Stephen Colbert audience gives 40-second ovation for Trump impeachment inquiry

(L-R) Donald Trump and Stephen Colbert. CP Images Archive / The Late Show / YouTube

Only hours after the official announcement was made, Stephen Colbert broke the news to his The Late Show audience that the U.S. House of Representatives launched a formal impeachment inquiry against U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

“This afternoon (Sept. 24, 2019),” the TV host told the crowd. “Nancy Pelosi did this thing,” before playing a clip of the official broadcast.

“Today, I’m announcing that the House of Representatives is moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry,” said Pelosi, 79.

The news launched Colbert’s audience into a frenzy of applause — 40 seconds of it, to be exact.

‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ audience broke out into a 40 second standing ovation on Sept. 24, 2019 after Nancy Pelosi announced an official inquiry into the impeachment of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Late Show / YouTube

Pelosi’s probe centres on whether Trump abused his presidential powers and sought help from a foreign government to undermine Democratic opponent Joe Biden and help his own re-election.

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The House Speaker said such actions would mark a “betrayal of [Trump’s] oath of office,” and declared: “No one is above the law.”

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Colbert, 55, said, “Lordy, what a day. You [can] really feel the ground shifting under your feet. But if you’re at home and you’ve got a couch, No. 1, why? And No. 2, buckle up.”

He added: “For two and a half years, Donald Trump has had scandal after scandal,” before listing off a number of controversial issues in regards to Trump.

Democratic Speaker of the House from California Nancy Pelosi announces the House will begin a formal impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Donald Trump in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, on, Sept. 24, 2019. Jim LoScalzo/CNP/Abacapress.com

“Russian collusion. Obstruction of justice,” began Colbert. “Saying Nazis are fine people. Being an unnamed co-conspirator to campaign finance violations. Lying about the Moscow Trump Tower. Stealing money to pay for the border wall. Faking the weather with a sharpie.

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“None of these are made up,” he added, as the audience laughed the current president’s mistakes.

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READ MORE: Explainer: how the process of impeaching a U.S. president works

Colbert added: “People have asked, ‘Is this the thing? Surely, this must be the thing,’ and every time, it wasn’t the thing. But here’s the thing. There’s a new thing, and it might be the thing.”

The “thing” which Colbert was referring to was, of course, Pelosi’s announcement.

WATCH: Global News’ exclusive impeachment explainer

Throughout the 40-second standing ovation, Colbert looked both ecstatic and relieved. House band musician Jon Batiste was shown with both a giant smile on his face and a look of confusion.

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Colbert continued to laugh before asking the crowd to calm down.

“OK, but how do you feel?” he jokingly asked the audience before kicking off the rest of the show.

— With files from the Associated Press

adam.wallis@globalnews.ca

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