\u201cThis is a dramatic legislative turnaround and a huge loss for Trump<\/a>, make no mistake,\u201d Colbert said. \u201cFor going on four months now, Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson<\/a> fought the release of the Epstein files with every congressional tool they had. And keep in mind, Congress is loaded with some major tools.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Trump promised during the 2024 campaign that he\u2019d release the Epstein files, then instead spent his first months in office trying to block it, calling it a \u201cDemocrat hoax<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n He only changed his mind<\/a> at the last minute, when it was clear the bill would pass anyway. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n For a moment on Tuesday, it looked like the Senate might amend the bill, and Colbert joked at just how much that could\u2019ve complicated the situation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIt would have to go back to the House, where it has to cross over a river, and under the bridge is a troll,\u201d Colbert said. \u201cAnd to get by the troll, you have to answer his riddle: \u2018What walks on two cankles in the morning, rides a golf cart in the afternoon, and is totally in the Epstein files<\/a>?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Trump was once close friends with Epstein, and his name<\/a> was in the documents released last week multiple times<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Neither trolls nor riddles will be necessary in this case: The Senate voted unanimously to approve the House bill as-is once it arrives. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n See more in Colbert\u2019s Tuesday night monologue:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Celebrate<\/span>Truth<\/span>This Season<\/span><\/p>\n Your Support<\/span>Fuels<\/span>Our Mission<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Your Support<\/span>Fuels<\/span>Our Mission<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n The holidays can get loud. But some stories cut through the noise — the ones that make sense of the chaos and hold power to account. Support the newsroom built on clarity, accountability, and a healthy dose of reality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.<\/p>\n Thank you again for your support along the way. We\u2019re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.<\/p>\n Thank you again for your support along the way. We\u2019re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cOur fierce, independent reporting and unvarnished perspective hold power to account and inform millions of readers. Please support this hard-hitting journalism.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Whitney](\"https:\/\/img.huffingtonpost.com\/asset\/691c87541700009d2b9c5f37.jpg?ops=50_50&format=webp)
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