The Late Show with Stephen Colbert features host Stephen Colbert discussing Donald Trump's recent activities, including his visit to Louisiana where he was greeted with "big hairy Trump socks." Colbert also talks about the trade war with China, which Trump imposed a 25% tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, and China retaliating with tariffs on $60 billion of American products.
Trump claims that his friendship and respect for Chinese President Xi Jinping are unlimited, but Colbert jokes that Trump wouldn't even say that about his wives. Colbert also mocks Trump's statement that the trade war is a "little squabble" and that Americans will not suffer because of it.
The show also covers Trump's promise to farmers that they will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the trade war, but many farmers think that the $15 billion in subsidies he promised will not be enough to cushion the blow. Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton is featured, saying that the sacrifices farmers are making are minimal compared to those of soldiers overseas.
The show ends with Colbert discussing the possibility of a war with Iran, after Trump's national security advisors came up with a plan to deploy as many as 120,000 troops.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. Donald Trump visited Louisiana.
2. The Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana greeted Trump with "big hairy Trump socks."
3. Trump imposed 25% tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.
4. China retaliated with tariffs on $60 billion of American products.
5. The Trump administration is considering imposing tariffs on nearly every consumer product left untouched by previous tariffs, including cell phones, laptops, and tablet computers.
6. Trump tweeted that he has unlimited respect and friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
7. Trump claimed that the US will make a great deal with China, or it won't make any sense.
8. Trump said that Americans won't have to pay tariffs if businesses build or make products in the United States.
9. China has had tariffs on agricultural products for almost a year.
10. Trump promised $15 billion in subsidies to farmers to replace the money China would have spent on farm products.
11. Many farmers think the subsidies won't be enough to cushion the blow of the trade war.
12. Senator Tom Cotton was asked about the sacrifice farmers are making and compared it to the sacrifices made by soldiers overseas.
13. Tensions between the US and Iran have been escalating since Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal.
14. Trump's national security advisors have come up with a plan to deploy as many as 120,000 troops to the Middle East.
15. Trump was asked if he plans to send 120,000 troops to the Middle East and called it "fake news," but then said he would "absolutely" do it.