Stephen Colbert Pleads for Chris Christie to Not Support Donald Trump

Stephen Colbert went live once again for The Late Show after night 4 of the Republican National Convention on Thursday where he was quick to criticize the event and later argued with Former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie about his support of Trump in the election.

When opening his show, the late-night host addressed the large unmasked crowd shown seated on the White House lawn during Thursday night's Republican National Convention. "I got chills. I got nausea. It's either the onset of COVID or seeing 1500 people with no social distancing," he said. Colbert went on to say that though dangerous, it couldn't be denied that Trump managed to achieve a "bigger crowd" than that of his inauguration.

Reflecting on the "emotional rollercoaster" viewers have endured after watching each night of the RNC, Colbert joked that "we laughed," "cried" and even "threw up a little in our mouths."

During his Wednesday night show, Colbert admitted he did not watch much of the convention but said for his Thursday night show he managed to Donald Trump's speech. Prior to Trump taking the stage, he was introduced by his daughter Ivanka Trump, a White House adviser, who portrayed Trump as someone who shook up Washington. "Dad, people attack you for being unconventional, but I love you for being real. And I respect you for being effective," she said. Colbert described Ivanka as an "American Girl doll just following orders." When she praised Trump for changing Washington rather than Washington changing him, Colbert said, "she's right actually and that's weird." "Trump doesn't do any of the stuff that matures you," Colbert explained. "The last four years is like Trump is Dorian Gray and we're the picture."

Colbert later criticized various moments from Trump's speech, including his reminiscing of "the White House of president's past" where he mentioned Lincoln and Roosevelt. "And right here, at this podium, one president broke the law and used the people's house for a grotesque campaign event," Colbert mocked of what Trump would say of his legacy.

When Trump took jabs at Joe Biden, in which he described Biden as "the destroyer of American greatness," Colbert counter argued, "Wow for a sleepy guy who doesn't leave his basement he's a pretty productive guy. You got to admire Biden's hustle." Amid "all of the lies" expressed in his speech, Colbert noted that Trump "did get one thing right" when he said "Americans are exhausted." "Yes, we are after listening to you for 70 minutes."

Later in the night, Colbert welcomed Christie to his show where he expressed his annoyance that Christie is supporting Trump in the election. "I have hope that I can like you someday," Colbert told Christie before pleading, "This is your last chance to get off the Trump train. Why on Earth...why would you want to chain yourself to this anchor made of manure? "

Taking his questions in stride, Christie argued, "I'm not chained to anybody but what I am chained to are a set of ideas that I think are right for the country." After Colbert questioned what those specific ideas were, Christie explained that he believes more in Conservative ideas such as a "smaller government" and "lower taxes."

Though Christie says "there have been things that have happened over the course of four years that I don't agree with," he has chosen to side with Trump in the election. "I'm down to a choice between Donald Trump and Republican principles or Joe Biden and Progressive principles and I believe more in Republican principles," he said.

As Colbert and Christie discussed the novel coronavirus pandemic, Christie admitted that though he believes Trump has done "very well" in the circumstances, he thinks where Trump went wrong is that he "under reacted in the beginning." "We didn't start off as aggressively as we should have," Christie said.

Unable to comprehend why Christie would support Trump, Colbert then pegged the question: "What is so terrifying about Biden?" "I've known Joe Biden for 35 years and I like him. I'm not terrified of the person Joe Biden but I feel like the Democratic Party has moved so far to the left. Joe Biden has signed on to those left wing principles to be able to get the nomination," Christie said. He further argued that it concerns him that "what's being proposed right now is to the left of Barack Obama." "This is not Barack Obama's Democratic Party," he added.

After Colbert gave a final plea for Christie to not support Trump, the two began bantering about Christie no longer being a welcomed guest. "I'm the only Republican that will come on your show! You and I have fun together," he told Colbert.