WATCH: Bill O'Reilly tells Stephen Colbert that Trump's "using this terrorism issue ... to bolster his popularity"

Colbert and Trump had an intense debate Monday night on the Orlando massacre

Published June 14, 2016 2:45PM (EDT)

"O'Reilly Factor" host Bill O'Reilly guested on Stephen Colbert's "Late Show" last night, with the two primarily discussing the weekend's mass shooting in Orlando.

O'Reilly's response to the massacre, reflecting the sentiment of his Republican viewership, was to suggest Congress pass a declaration of war against ISIS.

"If you make a declaration of war, it does a number of things," O'Reilly explained. "Number one, it gives your authorities inside the United States far more latitude to detain [Orlando gunman] Omar Mateen."

O'Reilly added (to smattered boos) that "FDR did it with the Japanese."

Such a historically problematic policy suggestion reeks of GOP nominee Donald Trump's Muslim ban. However, O'Reilly lessened Trump's response to the shooting as "a political response."

"He's using this terrorism issue ... to bolster his popularity," O'Reilly said. "Trump is bringing a robust, 'I'm gonna get these guys' attitude to the table [while] Mrs. Clinton is bringing a more nuanced situation."

Watch the interview below:


By Brendan Gauthier

Brendan Gauthier is a freelance writer.

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Bill O'reilly Late Show With Stephen Colbert Mass Shooting Orlando