Crashing the party! Stephen Colbert unexpectedly took the stage at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Sunday, July 17, as organizers were setting up for the big event, and he was quickly ushered off for his outlandish announcement.
The Late Show host, 52, was dressed as Hunger Games emcee Caesar Flickerman (played in the films by Stanley Tucci) with bright blue hair and eyebrows, a giant bow tie and a small furry animal in his hands as he approached the podium at Quickens Loans Arena.
He hijacked the microphone to mock the RNC and make some hilarious comparisons to the fictional competition. “[Donald Trump] has formed an alliance with Indiana governor Mike Pence,” Colbert said of the presumptive Republican nominee’s VP pick, before dropping his head down for a few seconds. “Sorry, I blacked out there for a moment,” he said.
“It is my honor to begin the official Republican National Convention Hungry for Power Games,” the comedian proclaimed while banging down his oversize gavel. He has impersonated Flickerman several times for skits about the 2016 presidential election, and he frequently refers to the GOP race as the the “Hungry for Power Games” on his talk show.
Security immediately descended upon Colbert to escort him off the stage. “Look, I know I’m not supposed to be up here, but let’s be honest, neither is Donald Trump,” he jabbed before being whisked away.
Colbert is filming the Late Show in Cleveland this week, so viewers may get a full look at his antics on the CBS show. For now, he tweeted a photo of himself attempting to pull the plug out of a generator, writing, “At the center of power at the RNC.”
The RNC kicks off on Monday, July 18, and will have several high-profile speakers, including Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson, actor Scott Baio and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Several of Trump’s family members, including his wife, Melania, and children, Ivanka, Eric, Donald Jr. and Tiffany, are also scheduled to make speeches. The billionaire businessman is expected to officially secure the Republican nomination for president of the United States at the four-day convention.
