Former President Donald Trump unleashed a tirade against comedian Seth Meyers in a social media post shortly before 2 a.m., marking the latest instance of his ongoing feuds with late-night television hosts.
The late-night outburst came without immediate context, though it follows a pattern of the former president responding to criticism or jokes made at his expense on comedy shows. Meyers, who hosts “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on NBC, has been a frequent critic of Trump throughout his presidency and beyond.
History of Tension with Late-Night Hosts
Trump’s relationship with Meyers has been particularly strained since the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Meyers delivered a series of jokes about Trump while he sat in the audience. Many political observers have suggested this event may have contributed to Trump’s decision to run for president.
The former president has previously targeted other late-night hosts including Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon, often responding to their monologues with angry posts on social media platforms.
Media analysts note that these conflicts serve multiple purposes for Trump:
- They energize his base supporters who share his disdain for mainstream media
- They generate media coverage that keeps him in the public eye
- They create content for fundraising appeals
Timing and Pattern of Late-Night Posts
The timing of the post—just before 2 a.m.—has drawn attention from political observers. Trump’s late-night and early-morning social media activity has been a consistent feature of his communication style since his first presidential campaign.
“The timing of these posts often suggests they’re impulsive reactions rather than strategic communications,” said a political communications expert who requested anonymity. “Posts made in the middle of the night typically lack the polish of messages that have been vetted by advisors.”
Data collected during Trump’s presidency showed a pattern of early-morning posts that often set the news agenda for the day and frequently created challenges for his communications team.
Impact on Political Discourse
Trump’s ongoing feuds with entertainment figures highlight the blurred lines between politics and entertainment in modern American discourse. Late-night comedy shows have increasingly focused on political content, particularly during and after the Trump administration.
For his part, Meyers has not yet publicly responded to Trump’s latest attack. The NBC host typically addresses such comments during his show’s “A Closer Look” segment, which frequently focuses on political news.
Trump’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment about what prompted the late-night post or whether it was in response to specific content from Meyers’ show.
As the presidential election cycle continues to heat up, political analysts expect these types of exchanges between Trump and his media critics to intensify. The former president remains active on social media and continues to hold rallies where he often references his grievances against media figures.