Stephen Colbert Lampoons Sen. Booker’s POTUS Campaign Video

MONTCLAIR, NJ — What does Montclair resident and late-night television guru Stephen Colbert have to say about U.S. Sen. Cory Booker’s recent presidential announcement?

Earlier this week, Colbert “dissected” Booker’s Feb. 1 announcement that he’s running for U.S. president in 2020. (Watch the video below)

Booker, the former mayor of Newark, released a video message saying he believes that “we can build a country where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind, where parents can put food on the table, where there are good paying jobs with good benefits in every neighborhood.”

In his campaign video, Booker heavily emphasized his Essex County roots, including his experience representing Newark tenants in their fights against local “slumlords.”

• See related article: NJ Sen. Cory Booker Is Running For President
• See related article: Watch Cory Booker Speak About His Presidential Campaign

But Colbert – who has made a habit of skewering President Donald Trump and other Republican icons over his long career – didn’t spare the sarcasm for Booker, one of at least 10 Democratic party members who have thrown their hats into the 2020 presidential race.

Colbert also didn’t hesitate at ripping Newark in his monologue.

Replaying Booker’s video, Colbert referenced the part where the senator says he moved to Newark to help fight slumlords after realtors refused to sell his parents a home because of their skin color.

“That’s inspiring and I’ve got to say, daring,” Colbert joked. “I’ve never seen anyone so proud to be from Newark… home of the airport that you didn’t realize you were landing at.”

Colbert also quipped that Booker’s campaign video contained a lot of “not-so-subtle” anti-Trump messaging.

“Booker tells the story of a racist landlord turning away his parents, imagery of kids in cages, and of course, a scene of him in a barber shop, which is an obvious dig at Trump since it implies Booker could grow hair but chooses not to.”

Colbert also took a shot at Booker’s campaign name, “Cory 2020.”

“It’s a bold move, going with a first name,” the comedian commented. “If you recall, that did not work out too well for “Jeb! 2016.”

It isn't the first time Colbert has put the spotlight on Booker. In August 2018, he invited the senator to speak on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," where they discussed the U.S. Supreme Court, the importance of participation leading up to the midterms and his political aspirations for 2020." (See video below)

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page here. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo 1: Sen. Cory Booker / YouTube

Photo 2: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert / YouTube