Protestors Interrupt Nancy Pelosi During Live Taping of ‘The Late Show With Stephen Colbert’

CHICAGO — Protesters interrupted a live broadcast of CBS’ “The Late Late Show With Stephen Colbert” on Tuesday night, shouting loudly from the balcony of the Auditorium Theatre several times during two segments with former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi was there to discuss the Democratic National Convention and also her new book, “The Art of Power.” Several minutes into Colbert’s segment with Pelosi, a protester began shouting from above regarding the war in Gaza.

Colbert addressed the person and the audience stating, “For the people who can’t tell, there’s a protest going on in the audience.”

The host then swiftly threw it to a commercial, while stating that he had planned to ask Pelosi about the protests and concerns regarding the Middle East. “The subject is on Israel and Palestine and if you have a seat, we have to go to the commercial break,” Colbert said. “When we come back, I’ll ask the next question I had on that subject.”

Colbert’s conversation with Pelosi began with a discussion about her involvement in President Joe Biden’s decision to step down from the 2024 Presidential race. Pelosi balked at the idea of being labeled the “architect” of that choice, and even at first said she hadn’t called Biden at all. The second night of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” live at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, right after the Democratic National Convention, was unexpectedly interrupted.

When they returned, Colbert first finished his questions about Biden, and whether it was rare to see a leader give up power in that way. He then switched gears.

“Let’s talk about another aspect of power: The U.S. using its power overseas,” he said, pivoting back to the question from the protestors. “As I said earlier, there is a political protestor here. There is a political convention in town, you are politician and protests are natural. People are protesting, even within the Democratic party, there is dissension over what is the proper use of American power, especially ourprotected power overseas, both firm and soft power. If the goal is the peaceful and prosperous future for both Israelis and Palestinians, what role does the United States play?”

Pelosi’s response focused first on President Biden’s current and past track record in foreign policy. “Let me just say this was a role that President Biden played very well for years he was chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee,” said Pelosi. “He was a senator for a long time, Vice President and President. So his experience globally has been huge.”

Pelosi recounted attending the inauguration of John F. Kennedy, during which he gave his now iconic address, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Pelosi noted that, “The very next sentence that he says in the speech is, ‘To the countries of the world, ask not what America can do for you, but what we can do working together for the freedom of mankind.’ That is our mission… So yes, we have had a commitment to Israel. It’s been in our security interest to do so. Israel was attacked by a terrorist organization. We want the hostages freed. But we don’t want children killed in Gaza. And so we have to come up with a solution. And right now, we just got word earlier today that Israel had agreed to the cease-fire agreement. We’re hoping that Hamas will too. But it takes me to the point of saying to you, war has no role in a civilized society. We have to learn more about trust and peace.”

During the end portion of this response, an audience member began shouting, repeating her words, “And war has no role in a civilized society,” followed by several other audience members also shouting, to which Colbert responded, “As you can see from the continuing protest out here, that answer is unsatisfying to some people. Would you like to respond to what they’re saying?”

Colbert then turned to the protestor and asked if they would like a response to their question asking if they would “listen” Pelosi’s response. Switching back to Pelosi, he then directed the question to her, “They have said that the United States should not have any role in supplying Israel arms to kill people of Gaza. That’s what they are saying.”

“Israel has a right to defend itself,” Pelosi said. “But the other part of it is that’s been so major for all of us for many years is that there must be two-state solution. You cannot have peace unless you have a two-state solution. Israel, a secure Jewish democratic state in the region. And the Palestinians having their own, secure country there as well. Unless you have a two-state solution, you will not have a resolution of this.”

At this point the shouting increased and Colbert instructed the protestors, “Please don’t interrupt my guest.”

Colbert then ended the segment. “Madame Speaker, we’re a live show and we have to go at this point. Please come again and we can continue the conversation.”

Pelosi then attempted to change the subject by ending, “I have to say, isn’t it great to be in Chicago?” The segment went to commercial shortly after. There wasn’t any further interruptions during the show; according to insiders, all protestors left on their own accord, and the matter was handled peacefully.

Hakeem Jeffries was the next guest, and Colbert also asked him about the ongoing conflict in Gaza in a hypothetical asking: How would a Speaker Jeffries advise a President Harris?

“What President Biden is doing right now, what Kamala Harris is doing as part of the Biden-Harris administration, to do everything possible to try to achieve a cease-fire agreement,” Jefferies said. “To bring the hostages home, to surge humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians who are in harms way, through no fault of their own. Surge that aid immediately and continuously. And to find a path toward a just and lasting peace. A safe and secure Israel and the Palestinian people being able to experience the dignity and self-determination that they deserve.”

At the end of the night, after the show went off the air, Colbert addressed the audience and thanked them for coming, expressing his gratitude — but didn’t further address the protestors. “Thank you for a lovely night, it means the world for us, for you all to come out,” he said. “And I can’t begin to tell you what a joy it is to play this house in Chicago.”

As the Democratic National Convention has gotten underway in Chicago, protests have taken place around the city, including one on Tuesday where dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters and Chicago police clashed on Tuesday during a demonstration outside the Israeli Consulate in downtown Chicago.

The Auditorium Theatre is located in the South Loop area, several miles from the DNC, but a large number of police could be seen stationed outside the Auditorium as audience members filed out of the theater around 12:40 a.m. CT.

This is day two of Colbert’s Chicago live run, with Monday’s episode wrapping up just after 1 a.m. Central Time.