Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Video: Bill Clinton Explains The Appeal Of Donald Trump To Stephen Colbert
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 7, 2015
Modified Oct 7, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Oct 7, 2015
Modified Oct 7, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Bill Clinton was the latest big name politician to appear on Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Clinton was, as ever, a charming rascal, whether discussing his wife's presidential run and appearance on SNL ("That Val woman was wonderful," Colbert said oh Hillary. Clinton responded, "Made me want to take a drink with her."), or the other presidential candidates.
His most fascinating commentary came on the subject of Donald Trump, whom Clinton called a "master brander" and "the most interesting character out there." He offered his take on Trump's politically incorrect appeal: "Because he says something that overrides the ideological differences," Clinton explained. "If you look at the first debate, a lot of those guys were competing for who could be the most politically correct on the answers. Trump says, 'OK, I've supported Democrats, I've supported Republicans. Yeah, I used to be friends with Bill Clinton, who cares? I run things, and I build things. And you need somebody who'll go in there and fix it. And if they don't let me fix it, I'll just get them out of the way.'"
Even so, Clinton thinks Trump's blustery campaign may run out of steam soon enough: "It may have a short half-life his campaign— I can't tell yet. But he is a master brander and there is a macho appeal to saying, 'I'm just sick of nothing happening, I make things happen, vote for me.'"
Colbert also asked him whether or not the rumor that Clinton nudged Trump into the presidential race was true: "I get credit for doing a lot of things I didn't do like that," Clinton said. "I had a very pleasant conversation with him and it wasn't about running for office. So I missed a chance."
Tagged
bill clinton
late show with stephen colbert
stephen colbert
television
tv
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 11:18 a.m. ET
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
Highlights of shifts in the city's business landscape.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .