The moment came as Harris criticized Trump for inviting the Taliban to Camp David for negotiations on Afghanistan.
“A place of great significance to us as Americans, a place where we honor the importance of American diplomacy, where we invite and receive respected world leaders. And this,” Harris said, pausing as she gestured to Trump.
It seemed like she was searching for the right word and came up with “former president.”
Colbert’s audience cheered and Colbert himself was silent for fifteen seconds.
“I don’t think former president was the ‘f-word’ she was looking for,” he said finally.
Watch it in his Tuesday night “Late Show” monologue: