Stephen Colbert opens up on ‘damning’ and truly ‘perverted’ Epstein message about Trump – ‘This is never a good sign’

New York, NY – On the November 12, episode of The Late Show, host Stephen Colbert dissected newly released Jeffrey Epstein files, calling emails between the late sex offender and journalist Michael Wolff “damning” for revealing Epstein’s offer to “craft” a response for then-candidate Donald Trump about their relationship.

“That is never a good sign when Jeffrey Epstein is trying to help you draft a response like some kind of perverted Clippy,” Colbert quipped, referencing Microsoft’s universally disliked digital assistant that popped up with unhelpful suggestions.

In the emails, Epstein claims that Trump ― who was once a close friend ― knew about his conduct.

The Epstein-Wolff Emails

In a 2015 message, Wolff emailed Epstein warning that CNN planned to ask Trump about his ties to Epstein. Epstein replied offering to “craft” a message for Trump, per the files.

“That is never a good sign when Jeffrey Epstein is trying to help you draft a response like some kind of perverted Clippy,” Colbert said.

Clippy was Microsoft’s universally disliked digital assistant, which would pop up and offer suggestions for whatever the user was working on.

In Clippy’s voice, Colbert mocked, “Looks like you’re trying to avoid questions about sex crimes. Would you like help? I can make it a newsletter.”

Wolff suggested Epstein’s help could “generate a debt” if Trump won the White House.

Colbert reacted, “OK, that’s blackmail. And I would like to point out blackmail really only works when you’re blackmailing someone about something they did that they don’t want anyone to know about. That’s why you never hear a mobster say, ‘Hey, give me $1,000 or everyone’s gonna find out that you donate to Meals on Wheels.’”

More from his Wednesday monologue:

White House Response to the Newly Released Epstein Files

The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued the following statement on November 12, regarding the House Oversight Committee’s release of additional Jeffrey Epstein files.

“President Trump has consistently called for full transparency on the Epstein matter, and today’s release advances that goal. The files, as we’ve said, contain unverified hearsay and outdated records from a prior administration that weaponized investigations against political opponents. No credible evidence implicates the president in wrongdoing—his name appears in benign contexts, like flight logs from decades ago. We welcome scrutiny, as it exposes the Democrat hoax designed to distract from the Biden-era failures. The DOJ remains committed to justice for victims, not partisan games. America deserves focus on real priorities, like our economic miracle and border security.”

TOP STORIES

• ‘Show-off gone bad’: Karoline Leavitt, 28, shares a rare family photo with 60-year-old husband — the reaction online shocked her
• ‘Worth a thousand words’: Stephen Colbert calls Trump oval photo ‘scary’ — And it’s hard to disagree
• Trump screws his 3-time voter on live TV after she begs for help – then boasts, ‘I think she’d vote for me again’

The Late Show segment aired amid Trump’s refusal to release full Epstein files, despite Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s October 29, The View demand.

Colbert’s monologue, viewed 3.2M times on YouTube in 24 hours, amplifies pressure on Trump, with 68% of Americans demanding full Epstein file release, per Quinnipiac poll.