Stephen Colbert made a startling confession during Thursday night’s “The Colbert Report.”
“For nine years, I’ve been telling you I’m an independent conservative,” he said. “But, that was a lie.”
“I’m sorry, I thought I was fooling everyone,” Colbert continued. “But last night when I came out to my family as openly Republican, they said they always knew. They could tell.”
Colbert noted that since coming out, he’d been inspired to “encourage all closeted Republicans who are afraid to be themselves to join” him.
“I’m looking at you, Papa Bear,” he said, before playing several clips of Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly claiming he was an Independent.
“Okay, girlfriend,” Colbert said. “Whatever helps you cry yourself to sleep at night. We can talk when you’re ready.”
Thursday’s segment is yet another episode in the ongoing Colbert vs. O’Reilly saga.
Watch the video below, courtesy of Comedy Central: