Comedy
Stephen Colbert Shows Trump the Cost of Creating Gender-Neutral Bathrooms
The late-night host ripped apart the GOP candidate's claim that bathroom equality is "unbelievably expensive."
May 25 2016 11:19 PM EST
dnlreynolds
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The late-night host ripped apart the GOP candidate's claim that bathroom equality is "unbelievably expensive."
Stephen Colbert just showed America the true cost of creating gender-neutral bathrooms.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert host tested Donald Trump's claim that it would be "unbelievably expensive" to create such facilities.
In Wednesday night's opening skit, Colbert approached a door and tore off a sign that said "men's," leaving a sign printed with "bathroom" underneath. He then asked a consultant for the cost of the conversion.
"Two hundred billion dollars," the "accountant" joked.
Colbert was lampooning the Republican presidential candidate, who recently gave an erroneous cost estimate to Bill O'Reilly when the Fox News host asked if his properties provided gender-netural bathrooms.
"No, we don't have that," replied Trump. "I hope not. Because frankly, it would be unbelievably expensive nationwide. It would be hundreds of billions of dollars."
Colbert's gag is the latest satire from the ongoing "bathroom bills" debate. Pat McCrory, the governor of North Carolina, became one of the most vocal proponents of denying transgender people the right to use restrooms that correspond to their gender identity when he signed House Bill 2.
McCrory's act stand sparked a lawsuit from the Department of Justice, a letter from the Department of Education directing public schools to respect the bathroom preferences of its trans students, and a host of boycotts from celebrities and businesses.
Trump inititally supported the right of transgender people to choose a bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity, then backtracked. This week, Jimmy Kimmel pressed the former reality star for a more definitive stance, asking "Do you personally support it? I think you do."
"What I support is let the states decide and I think the states will do, hopefully, the right thing," said Trump, ignoring the question. The late-night host asked Trump, "And what's the right thing?"
The audience erupted in laughter when Trump fumbled and responded by saying, "I don't know yet. I mean, I don't know. Honestly, I don't know."
Watch Colbert's skit below.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!