Trump Critiques Seth Meyers Over Late Night Jokes Amidst Rising Tensions

Former President Donald Trump targeted Seth Meyers on October 23, 2023, calling the Late Night host "100% anti-Trump," and claiming his jokes are "probably illegal." This response follows Meyers' "A Closer Look" segment, which poked fun at Trump’s recent comments regarding steam catapults.

This incident adds to a continuing pattern of Trump publicly disparaging late-night hosts. In recent years, he has targeted Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Trevor Noah, indicating a broader conflict between the former president and the late-night comedy scene. For example, in 2018, Trump called out Colbert's monologues as biased, which marked the beginning of this ongoing feud.

Meyers' segment on October 19 featured a clip of Trump discussing steam catapults, humorously noting the impracticality of such a concept in modern politics. Meyers' sharp comedic style has earned him both praise and criticism; in 2022, he received a Peabody Award for excellence in storytelling, showcasing his impact on political commentary.

According to public polls, late-night shows have become crucial platforms for discussing political issues, with 63% of viewers reporting they watch to stay informed. In contrast, Trump's comments suggest an adversarial stance against media he perceives as unjust.

This marks a broader trend in the entertainment industry where political satire plays a significant role in shaping public perception. Similar to when John Oliver addressed policy issues on Last Week Tonight, Meyers uses humor to inform and critique.

Sources indicate that Trump may feel emboldened to respond more aggressively due to the current media landscape. With ongoing investigations related to his past presidency, including a criminal case regarding election interference, his public relations strategy uses these attacks to shift narrative focus.

Looking ahead, Trump is expected to make more public appearances as he campaigns for the 2024 Presidential Election. His interactions with media personalities like Meyers may intensify as he seeks to energize support among his base.

In conclusion, the interplay between Trump and Meyers encapsulates a larger cultural moment where politics and entertainment increasingly collide. This incident reinforces the significant role of late-night television in political discourse, set against the backdrop of the upcoming presidential elections.