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'Ignorant' Stephen Colbert says of rising gas prices, 'clear conscience is worth a buck or two'

Stephen Colbert has received a lot of backlash online after he justified the rising gas prices in the US during his late-night show amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict

Stephen Colbert has received a lot of backlash online after he justified the rising price of gas amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict by saying “clear conscience is worth a buck or two”. On Monday, March 7, the political commentator started the monologue on his show 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' with, “Since the invasion, oil prices have skyrocketed.”

He then went on to say, “Today, the average gas price in America hit an all-time record high of over $4 per gallon. Okay, that stings, but a clear conscience is worth a buck or two,” before adding, “I’m willing to pay. I’m willing to pay $4 a gallon. Hell, I’ll pay $15 a gallon because I drive a Tesla.”

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The 57-year-old comedian, who reportedly gets $15 million from CBS as a year's salary, also joked, “Take that, Putin! We’re not gonna buy our gas from a war criminal. We’re gonna buy it from the good guys, Saudi Arabia!” Colbert’s “ignorant” statement was shared on Twitter by a journalist Tom Elliott, which has been viewed more than two million times.

Several people reacted to it with one asking, “What about that single mom driving a Chevy Malibu, who is worried about being able to make her rent payment, car insurance, daycare, and still have enough food on the table? Celebrities are so out of touch with what regular people are going through due to these high gas prices.”

Joel M Petlin, Superintendent of the Kiryas Joel School District, tweeted, “*I don't mind paying $15 a gallon, cause I drive a Tesla* is a joke, until you realize that it really defines the disconnect between the mentality of celebrities and the people who have to drive to work everyday in a car that costs less than $50k.”

A user said, “Buying oil from Iran and Venezuela is offering a clean conscience?” Another user wrote, “I am 66 and on a limited income. The 7% raise Joe bragged about was lost immediately on Medicare premium hikes. Living on peanut butter. Stephen, could you please send me some money ASAP, so I can afford to drive to the store?”

“I think Stephen Colbert didn't spend enough time in comedy clubs.  He delivers similar to his character on Daily Show.  A Jay/Dave had a more finally honed sense of how not to alienate a crowd,” the third user added.

“Every rich person should shut up about gas prices. They're the elite, they can pay that much but the average citizen can't. We need to start using our oil,” a person shared.

The second person fired at Colbert, “Colbert, how do you make a lithium battery? Where does lithium come from? Questions you should be asking before spouting nonsense. Right now we need fossil fuels.” Another user noted, “Ahhh, the multi millionaire celebrity telling us expensive gas is no big deal. I love it.”

A tweet slamming him suggested, “Ok, make him live for 6 months as someone who makes around minimum wage. No fancy car, or food or house. A crappy apartment with a car that breaks down but you need it because you can't afford to live where your job is. When you have to decide between food or gas.”

Another tweet read, “I’ll be waiting for my new TESLA courtesy of @StephenAtHome since he said he’s willing to lose money for a clear conscience. I make $16 an hour, figure out how long it would take me to afford an electric car while paying 1/4th of my wages for gas! Maybe @elonmusk can tell him?”