Stephen Colbert (sort of) defended Michele Bachmann’s now-infamous, accidental comparison to serial killer John Wayne Gacy on Tuesday night’s episode of ‘The Colbert Report.’

Since the gaffe, Bachmann has admitted that she misspoke, but Colbert takes issue with her concession. “What on earth are you apologizing for? All you said is that you have the same spirit as John Wayne Gacy, and I think there is something to that.” Colbert said. “Because like Gacy, people might think you’re a clown. But if they dig a little deeper, they’ll find you are deadly serious.”

Colbert had further advice for Bachmann. “When you stumble on facts, you don’t get backed into a corner. You double down!” he  continued. “You say, not only do you have the spirit of John Wayne Gacy, you’ve got the eyes of a young Charles Manson.”

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