Late-night host Seth Meyers found himself in the crosshairs of former President Donald Trump’s social media tirade, but this time, Meyers didn’t let it slide without a witty retort. In a clash that highlights the tense relationship between politics and comedy, Trump labeled Meyers a ‘deranged lunatic’ for jokes he deemed ‘probably illegal’—but here’s where it gets controversial: was Trump’s outrage justified, or is this just another chapter in his long-running feud with late-night TV?
The drama began over the weekend when Trump took to Truth Social to unleash a scathing critique of Meyers, calling him ‘the least-talented person to ‘perform’ live in the history of television.’ The former president’s ire was sparked by a segment from the October 30 episode of Late Night With Seth Meyers, where the comedian poked fun at Trump’s obsession with the merits of electromagnetic versus steam catapults on aircraft carriers. ‘Guy thinks about catapults more than Wile E. Coyote,’ Meyers quipped, a joke that apparently hit a nerve.
Trump’s response was nothing short of explosive. In a November 1 post, he wrote, ‘Seth Meyers of NBC may be the WORST to perform, live or otherwise. I watched his show the other night for the first time in years. On and on he went, a truly deranged lunatic. Why does NBC waste its time and money on a guy like this??? – NO TALENT, NO RATINGS, 100% ANTI TRUMP, WHICH IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL!!!’
But here’s the part most people miss: This isn’t the first time Trump has targeted Meyers. Earlier this year, he called the host ‘Marble Mouth Meyers’ and a ‘moron,’ and in August, he vowed to investigate the ‘sick rumor’ that NBC had extended Meyers’ contract. Trump’s relentless criticism raises a thought-provoking question: Is this a genuine grievance, or a calculated attempt to silence a vocal critic? And this is where the conversation gets even more intriguing.
In his opening monologue, Meyers addressed Trump’s attacks with his signature blend of humor and sharp commentary. ‘You can say I’m untalented. You can say I’m deranged,’ Meyers fired back. ‘But I’m not the one who talks endlessly about catapults on aircraft carriers! You’re the one who talks endlessly about catapults on aircraft carriers!’ To drive home his point, Meyers played a supercut of Trump uttering the word ‘catapult’ over 40 times in various speeches, turning the tables on the former president’s criticism.
And this is the part that could spark debate: While Trump has frequently clashed with late-night hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert, his fixation on Meyers seems particularly personal. Is it because Meyers’ humor strikes too close to home, or is Trump simply lashing out at anyone who dares to challenge him? The answer may lie in the broader tension between political figures and comedians, who often serve as society’s court jesters, holding power to account through laughter.
As the dust settles on this latest feud, one thing is clear: the line between comedy and politics remains as blurred as ever. What do you think? Is Trump’s criticism of Meyers fair, or is this just another example of a public figure unable to take a joke? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate that’s sure to keep the conversation going.
