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Stephen Colbert: 'You'd have to be some kind of idiot' to buy Trump's Russia explanation

Stephen Colbert began Wednesday's "Late Show" by challenging an old adage: "They say that time heals all wounds, and they are wrong," he said, explaining "time can also fester all wounds." And that creates a need for amputation.

President Donald Trump has been in damage-control after a Monday meeting and press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin where he seemed to take Putin's word over that of U.S. intelligence officials who are pursuing criminal charges against Russian operatives.

"I'm beginning to think it's time to reach for the bone saw," Colbert said, "'cause anybody who still believes Donald Trump at this point is gangrene on the body politic."

Trump attempted to walk-back his statements Tuesday, blaming a double-negative.

Colbert was still captivated by Trump's insistence that he mistakenly said "would" instead of "wouldn't" in the press conference with Putin. Trump said he actually meant "I don't see any reason why I wouldn't, or why it wouldn't be Russia (interfering in the 2016 U.S. presidential election)."

“Okay, all good,” Colbert said of Trump's explanation. “I see no reason why you would be a traitor. I’m sorry, I meant wouldn’t.”

Colbert then took it upon himself to fix footage from Trump's press conference with Putin, changing the now-famous "would" to "wouldn't." Colbert also altered Trump's statement which said: "President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today and what he did is an incredible offer;" to "President Putin was extremely wrong and bad in his denial today and what he did is grounds for war."

“Trump’s walk back yesterday was more of a shamble, and you’d have to be some kind of idiot to buy it,” Colbert added before queuing up footage of Trump's supporters.

The comedian reasoned that some Republicans publicly supported Trump to ensure their seats in office.

“It reminds me of the famous, moving speech from ‘Braveheart,’” Colbert said before adopting a Scottish accent. “They may take our lives, but — wait, they may take our lives? Then, how does that help anybody? Let’s be English.”

Trump was also on the mind of Colbert's guests Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, who tour the country giving audiences a glimpse into their real-life friendship. After Trump's Helsinki presser, Cooper said Trump gave "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president at a summit in front of a Russian leader certainly that I've ever seen."

Did Trump's walk-back do anything to change Cooper's mind? "Well, that all makes sense now," Cooper cracked of Trump's explanation. When asked by Colbert if that made Trump's performance "the most graceful," the journo facetiously agreed.