Considering that journalists are already talking about a “Colbert primary” for 2020 Democrats, it’s pretty clear that the Late Show host has decided he’s now only talking to half the country. On Monday night, Stephen Colbert gushed over “media virtuoso” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, hyping that she doesn’t give a “f**k” about offending the establishment.

Noting that some Democrats have been less than thrilled with the antics of the millennial Congresswoman, Colbert cheered, “I want to ask this question in a respectful manner, knowing also that you’re from Queens, so, you’ll understand this question. On a scale from zero to some, how many [bleeped] do you give?”

The Democratic socialist replied, “I think it’s zero.” Although Ocasio-Cortez holds many radical opinions, Colbert portrayed one of them, a call for a return to the 70 percent tax rate, as only slightly unconventional:

You have proposed a 70 percent tax on rich folks. Now, I have no dog in this fight. I’m just curious: How would that work and I just want to say, “Yay.” What if some of the money is in the Cayman Islands? How would that work?

Earlier, he hyped, “So you have been called a media virtuoso.”

This is the same guy who asked 2020 Democrat Kamala Harris, “What makes you happy? Where does your hope come from?” He held hands with another presidential contender, Kirsten Gillibrand, wondering, Do you have anything to announce?” (Gillibrand made her 2020 bid official on the show.)

It would be one thing if Colbert was soft on everyone. But on election night 2018 his show repeatedly called Republicans racists. He cursed out the non-political actor Kevin Hart, demanding more apologies for years-old tweets.

A partial transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more.