INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

Stephen Colbert ‘Visibly Shaken’ By Paris Attacks, Announces News To ‘Late Night’ Audience

By Niki Cruz
Published on: 05:51 PST, Nov 14, 2015

Stephen Colbert decided to re-shoot the end of his Late Night show on Friday night in the wake of the Paris attacks. Colbert, visibly shaken, gave a touching and meaningful closing statement, which was a departure from his usual exit.

To see someone like Colbert, who spent years in character as a faux Republican for The Colbert Report, slightly break is reminiscent to late night hosts reacting to the attacks in America following 9/11. Hosts like Jon Stewart of The Daily Show and former Late Night host David Letterman broke down in tears following the attacks.

During the exit segment Colbert held back tears as he announced the news of the attacks, which have let an estimated 153 people dead in Paris.

One audience member tweeted out Colbert’s disposition as he paused the show to announce to the audience what had happened in Paris.

During the taping, Stephen Colbert made the following statement.

“Folks, we end tonight’s show with a heavy heart because we taped all of tonight’s show, and then we found out about the horrific attacks in Paris today. I know not much is known right now. We do know there have been many deaths and the crisis is still ongoing.”

“President Hollande declared a state of emergency and President Obama has promised that the United States will do whatever it takes to bring those terrorists to justice. We add our thoughts and prayers to everyone in Paris.”

Colbert signed off with, “And now, we’ll see you on Monday.” With a deep breath he held back tears and said, “Goodnight.”

Hours after the airing of the Late Night show, the public learned the attack was carried out by ISIS. The radical Islamic group came out with a statement saying it was the first of planned attacks they intend to carry out. They called the attack, which simultaneously occurred at six different locations in Paris, “the first of the storm” and called France, the “capital of prostitution and obscenity.”

The message was translated and delivered via Twitter. A transcript of the statement was sent to the SITE Intelligence Group.

The group’s statement read as follows, according to The New York Times.

“Eight brothers, wrapped in explosive belts and armed with machine rifles, targeted sites that were accurately chosen in the heart of the capital of France. including the Stade de France during the match between the Crusader German and French teams, where the fool of France, François Hollande, was present.”

“Let France and those who walk in its path know that they will remain on the top of the list of targets of the Islamic State.”

Colbert wasn’t the only public figure to react to the news. As Inquisitr reported, Geraldo Rivera was on Fox News reacting to the news of the attacks on Paris. Rivera had a personal stake in this attack, as his daughter Simone was over in Paris and experienced the attacks firsthand. At the time his daughter was enjoying the soccer match at Stade de France, when she heard the loud blasts. During the broadcast, he tearfully explained his daughter’s personal account to Fox News anchor Shepard Smith.

Although his daughter didn’t experience any injuries, and didn’t see any of the injured people, she did see armed law enforcement. “The girls managed to get outside the perimeter. I told them not to take the subway. She said she was looking for a taxi. They were about four miles from home.”

[Photo by Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for Montclair Film Festival]

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