Emily Zemler
View all posts by Emily Zemler April 2, 2026
Stephen Colbert on 'The Late Show' YouTube/The Late Show Stephen Colbert played the ultimate prank on his audience last night as he complimented Donald Trump‘s address to the nation about the Iran war.
“It was a big night on all the broadcast networks,” The Late Show host recounted. “Donald Trump, at 9 p.m., gave a national prime time address. It was concise, intelligent, and brought the nation together with shared purpose.”
As the audience laughed Colbert admitted, “April Fools! Trump gave a speech tonight, on the first night of Passover. So whether you’re Jewish or not, I recommend having had four glasses of wine.”
Colbert said he had yet to watch the speech because The Late Show tapes too early and because “I put lamb’s blood around my TV so the speech would pass me by.” He noted that the administration promised “an important update on Iran.” The host mimicked Trump as he said, “My fellow Americans, we are ending our war in Iran. Let me back up. We’re doing a war in Iran. I forget why. Is it part of Venezuela?”
After explaining that a source said all of Trump’s flip-flopping is on purpose, Colbert replied, “Yes, it’s cunning! No one knows what Donald Trump is thinking. Not even Donald Trump. Think about it. Follow me down the rabbit hole here: Because if he knew what he was thinking he might let it slip. That’s why he keeps his mind perfectly blank. Like nature’s most cunning opponent, the goldfish.”
