In a somber cold open on Wednesday night’s Late Show, Stephen Colbert addressed the news that conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed earlier in the day while speaking at an event in Utah.

Sitting at his desk without the usual fanfare, Colbert began: “Good evening, everybody. After our scripts for tonight’s show were finished, we learned that Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist, was killed at a speaking engagement in Utah.” He continued, “Our condolences go out to his family and all of his loved ones.”

The host reflected on his own memories of past unrest, saying, “I am old enough to personally remember the political violence of the 1960s, and I hope it is obvious to everyone in America that political violence does not solve any of our political differences.”

Colbert emphasized that violence only deepens divisions: “Political violence only leads to more political violence.” He closed his remarks with a plea, “And I pray with all my heart that this is the aberrant action of a madman and not a sign of things to come.”

Stephen Colbert reacted to the killing of Charlie Kirk in a somber open for tonight's Late Show. pic.twitter.com/B6aT9hUyaW

— LateNighter (@latenightercom) September 11, 2025

After Colbert’s statement, The Late Show transitioned into its planned episode.

In a social media post Wednesday afternoon, Jimmy Kimmel expressed a similar sentiment, writing “Instead of the angry finger-pointing, can we just for one day agree that it is horrible and monstrous to shoot another human? On behalf of my family, we send love to the Kirks and to all the children, parents and innocents who fall victim to senseless gun violence.”