'Lovely footage': Stephen Colbert mocks Rep Clay Higgins' 'Ghost Buses' conspiracy theory surrounding Jan 6 Capitol riot
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Late-night show host Stephen Colbert took aim at Rep Clay Higgins (R-La.) for his peculiar conspiracy theory surrounding the January 6 Capitol riots.
Higgins suggested that mysterious white buses, dubbed 'Ghost Buses,' unloaded FBI informants near the Capitol on the morning of the attack.
Rep Clay Higgins unveils 'Ghost Buses' conspiracy theory
During a hearing with FBI Director Christopher Wray, Higgins displayed a picture from inside the Union Station parking garage on January 6, questioning Wray about his knowledge of 'Ghost Buses.'
The term refers to buses painted entirely white, which Higgins claimed were used for "secret purposes."
He went on to allege that these buses were filled with FBI informants dressed as Trump supporters, orchestrating the events of January 6.
Stephen Colbert humorously responds to Capitol Riot conspiracy
Colbert, on his show, mocked the conspiracy theory, quoting Speaker Mike Johnson's announcement of the release of 40,000 hours of January 6 footage.
Colbert joked, "No thanks. If I want to see 40,000 hours of people attacking each other near the Capitol, I'll watch The Real Housewives of Potomac."
The late-night host highlighted the use of the footage by far-right conspiracy theorists to support claims that there was nothing noteworthy on January 6.
He ridiculed the misleading spin, quoting a statement that "cameras captured demonstrators peacefully marching through the halls of the Capitol while police officers stood by," with Colbert humorously remarking, "Well, of course, if you don't count the violent rioting, there was a lot of lovely footage."
He added, "Mega Republicans immediately used the footage to bolster their January 6 conspiracy theories... Mike Lee, last week, Lee retweeted a theory about how this Capital Rioter was really an undercover federal agent because he's holding a badge. 'like you do when you are underover,'" he quipped.
"Heres a thing about that badge turns out its not a badge, its a Vape!"
Colbert also addressed the ghost buses conspiracy theory, emphasizing its emergence during a hearing where Higgins presented the idea that FBI informants disguised as Trump supporters played a role in the Capitol attack.
He quoted Wray's response denying any FBI involvement in orchestrating the violence. The 'Ghost Buses' theory is the latest addition to a series of distractions and excuses offered by some Republicans regarding the Capitol attack.