On January 13, 2025, Donald Trump heavily criticized NBC late-night host Seth Meyers and the network’s parent company, Comcast, in a post on Truth Social. This latest attack reignites a feud dating back to 2011 when Meyers publicly mocked Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
The renewed tensions coincide with the Department of Justice’s release of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s report on January 14, 2025. The 137-page document concludes that Trump engaged in a “criminal effort” to overturn the 2020 election results. However, due to his 2024 election victory, the DOJ’s policy prohibits prosecuting a sitting president, effectively shielding him from legal action.
In the report, Smith asserts that the evidence was sufficient to secure a conviction, stating, “The Office assessed that the admissible evidence was sufficient to obtain and sustain a conviction at trial.” Despite this, the DOJ has refrained from pursuing charges, adhering to longstanding policy.
Trump has accused the late-night television shows of making political contributions to Democrats through their content, explicitly mentioning Seth Meyers and claiming the shows consistently target him and the Republican Party. He suggested these networks should be paying for what he views as political contributions.
In response to Trump’s recent comments, Meyers and writer Amber Ruffin humorously introduced the concept of “panic naps” on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” attributing them to the stress induced by Trump’s election victory.
Seth Meyers has frequently focused on Trump in his late-night career, using his segment “A Closer Look” to routinely critique the President-elect’s policies and pronouncements. Meyers has previously said that Trump “turned himself into an object of ridicule” and that his show uses “Trump’s own momentum against him.”
Meyers creatively compared Trump’s speaking style to a lost tourist attempting to read a foreign menu, highlighting the awkwardness of reporters having to quote Trump verbatim. The comedian specifically challenged Trump’s criticisms of Governor Gavin Newsom’s wildfire management approach, pointing out inaccuracies in Trump’s claims.
Trump’s disdain for late-night television isn’t just limited to Meyers. He has regularly criticized other hosts such as Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert, labeling them “talentless” and “low-rated” for their constant criticism of his actions and policies.
The relationship between Trump and NBC is notably tense. Although the network significantly propelled Trump to mainstream popularity through “The Apprentice,” discord has grown since he entered the political arena. Many of MSNBC’s leading figures are markedly critical of him.
In September 2024, Trump called for an investigation into Comcast, accusing the company of “treason” due to what he described as “dishonest and corrupt” coverage by NBC News and MSNBC, which he derisively referred to as “MSDNC.”
The White House has in the past criticized Trump’s threats toward the media as “an outrageous attack on our democracy and the rule of law.”
Despite multiple criminal and civil charges before his election win, Trump maintained his lead in the Republican nomination race, ultimately securing the presidency. His recent comments have been described as “full fascist” by progressive organizations, while media pundits suggest that such his language could potentially undermine First Amendment rights.
