Millionaire Stephen Colbert Jokes he is Willing to Pay ‘$15 a Gallon’ to Protest Putin

Late-night host Stephen Colbert proclaimed last night, in a poor taste joke that he is willing to pay “$15 a gallon” for gas. He also added he drives a Tesla, so it isn’t like he will be buying any gas.

The dramatic increase in gas prices is likely to soon be reflected in the price of everything that is transported. It has been shocking for most Americans who were already grappling with decades high inflation.

The millionaire late-night host just showed how disconnected he is from the everyday man with his commentary in our view.

Colbert stated, “Russia has been hit with a series of crippling sanctions and it looks like there’s more to come because the U.S. and its European allies are now discussing banning imports of Russian oil.” He continued, “Take that Putin! We’re not gonna buy our gas from a war criminal we’re gonna buy it from the good guys”. Colbert then joked, “Saudi Arabia.”

Colbert added, “But it’s gonna cost, since the invasion oil prices have skyrocketed. Today the average gas price in America hit an all-time record high of over four dollars per gallon.” Colbert admits, “Okay, that stings, but a clean conscience is worth a buck or two.” His audience applauds his comments.

“I’m willing to pay. It’s important, it’s important,” he states. “I’m willing to pay four dollars a gallon, hell I’ll pay fifteen dollars a gallon, ’cause I drive a Tesla,” he concludes. The camera shoots to his bandleader who gives an awkward smile and Colbert moves on.

This disconnected joke highlighted Colbert’s wealth. Colbert’s annual salary is reportedly $16 million or $350,000 a month. That’s much more than the average person makes, as the median annual income from 2020 was reported at$67,521, close to 5% of what Colbert brings home in a month.

Twitter user Danie Turner retweeted Drew Hernandez’s clip of the late-night host adding, “Colbert makes $16million a year. There is zero difference- zero- between $2 and $4 and $8 a gallon gas when your bi monthly paycheck is $350,000. The average American family of 4 makes ~ $60,000. They don’t have a TV show to share their pain.”

Colbert makes $16million a year. There is zero difference- zero- between $2 and $4 and $8 a gallon gas when your bi monthly paycheck is $350,000.

The average American family of 4 makes ~ $60,000. They don’t have a TV show to share their pain. https://t.co/p17obdc8SI

— Daniel Turner (@DanielTurnerPTF) March 8, 2022

Lawyer and Twitter user Viva Frei shared the clip of Colbert and included, “Stephen Colbert has an estimated net worth of $75 MILLION. A couple of bucks extra per gallon is worth a clean conscience. Even if it means buying oil from Saudi Arabia. But he drives a Tesla. And doesn’t care. Boundless hypocracy and arrogance”

Stephen Colbert has an estimated net worth of $75 MILLION. A couple of bucks extra per gallon is worth a clean conscience. Even if it means buying oil from Saudi Arabia. But he drives a Tesla. And doesn’t care. Boundless hypocracy and arrogance @colbertlateshow @StephenAtHome https://t.co/bY2G0OIPNN pic.twitter.com/Y7QiVLtmWA

— Viva Frei (@thevivafrei) March 8, 2022

The comments from Colbert just highlight the disconnect there is between everyday people and those who are in the spotlight. Colbert may be fine in his Tesla with $15 dollar gas, but most people still own a combustion engine vehicle and those prices may have a devastating impact on your average family, not to mention the cost of goods going up due to shipping and logistics.