Stephen Colbert Gets Bill Clinton to Join Twitter—Watch the Clip!

Funnyman convinces Big Willy to get with the times and start tweeting

By Josh Grossberg Apr 09, 2013 4:46 PMTags

Bill Clinton has finally caught up with the Twitterverse—with a little help from Stephen Colbert.

In a hilarious interview taped at the Clinton Global Initiative that aired on Monday night's The Colbert Report, the faux-conservative pundit did what no one has done before him—persuade the 42nd president to open up a Twitter account.

Pulling out a smartphone, the comedian offered the ever-loquacious Clinton his first shot at Twitter glory (in 140 characters or less, natch) by taking the liberty of activating the account @PresBillyJeff (a shorter version of his full name, William Jefferson Clinton).

"Now 'President Clinton' was taken. William Jefferson Clinton was taken. But PrezBillyJeff was available," Colbert informed Clinton. "Would you like to break into the 21st century right now and send your first tweet?"

Following the roar of approval from the audience of mostly college students, the amused ex-prez took him up on it.

"Just spent amazing time with Colbert! Is he sane? He is cool! #cgiu," tweeted Clinton, though Colbert did the typing and added the hashtag for the Clinton Global Initiative.

No doubt, the funnyman's humor has rubbed off on him as the description of Clinton's Twitter page reads: "I am President William Jefferson Billy Jeff Rodham Clinton. Stephen Colbert is my BFF."

As of press time, the former commander in chief's account has racked up over 50,000 followers. And who is the one person he's following? Why, Colbert, of course!