Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Stephen Colbert takes emotional pause while talking about Texas school shooting

Colbert opened the show by honouring those who died in the primary school massacre

Inga Parkel
Thursday 26 May 2022 07:08 BST
Stephen Colbert opens his show with Texas massacre monologue

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Stephen Colbert choked up and went silent as he delivered the news of the Texas school shooting that left at least 19 children and two teachers dead.

On Tuesday’s (24 May) episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the host opened his monologue by addressing the “unspeakable” primary school massacre.

“We tape this show earlier in the day, and I just want to let you know shortly before I came out here tonight, we learned about the unspeakable shooting in Uvalde, Texas today,” he said.

“And while we can add our prayers for the dead,” he began, before taking a moment to compose himself with a six-second pause.

Colbert continued his message: “There is nothing that can ever be said that can approach the immeasurable grief of those families, but while we’re at it, let’s pray this time our leaders show a modicum of courage in trying to prevent this from ever happening again.

“But prayers won’t end this – voting might,” Colbert added.

Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert (Photo courtesy of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert/YouTube)

He further urged voters to consider “who running for office has publicly stated that they’re willing to do anything and everything to protect your children from the criminally insane number of guns in America?”

His voice joins other celebrities who have publicly addressed the tragedy, including author Stephen King who passionately called for “gun control now” in a tweet the same day.

Hours after the incident, Taylor Swift broke her months-long Twitter hiatus, writing: “Filled with rage and grief, and so broken by the murders in Uvalde. By Buffalo, Laguna Woods and so many others.”

You can follow The Independent here for live updates on the Texas shooting.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in