President Donald Trump criticized NBC late-night host Seth Meyers in a Truth Social post early Wednesday morning, pledging to investigate the network’s decision to renew the comedian’s contract. Trump’s post, made at approximately 1:56 a.m. local time on August 27, 2025, addressed what he called a “sick rumor” about Meyers’ contract extension.
Trump expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that Meyers has “no Ratings, Talent, or Intelligence, and the Personality of an insecure child.” He questioned NBC’s decision to extend “this dope’s contract,” adding that he would “definitely be finding out” the reasoning behind it.
The timing of Trump’s comments is notable since NBC announced Meyers’ contract extension in May 2024, over a year ago. Universal Studio Group, a division of NBCUniversal, extended Meyers’ role as host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers” through 2028, marking the show’s 10th anniversary.”
Meyers, host of the late-night show since 2014, frequently critiques Trump’s policies and actions. The former “Saturday Night Live” cast member has recently commented on the president’s tariff policies, the takeover of the Kennedy Center, and the federalization of Washington, D.C.’s police forces. The show currently garners just under one million viewers weekly, lagging behind CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” which averaged two million viewers before its cancellation announcement.
This criticism adds to Trump’s ongoing conflict with late-night television hosts. In January 2025, before assuming office, Trump called Meyers a “moron” and described him as “merely a slot filler for the Scum that runs Comcast.” Trump has also suggested that the network’s parent company should “pay a BIG price” for airing Meyers’ show, which he labeled an “in-kind” contribution to the Democratic Party.
Trump’s comments follow his reaction to the cancellation of Colbert’s show in July 2025. CBS announced that “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” would conclude in May 2026, citing financial reasons amid challenging conditions in the late-night television industry. The network clarified that the decision was not related to the show’s performance or content.
Trump has predicted that other late-night hosts may face similar outcomes. He specifically mentioned Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon, describing them as having “absolutely NO TALENT” and expressing hope that he influenced their potential departures. Fallon, like Meyers, renewed his contract with NBC in 2024, extending “The Tonight Show” through 2028.
Industry data indicates broader challenges in late-night television. Second-quarter ratings showed a nine percent decline among total viewers year-over-year, except for Fox News’ “Gutfeld!” which averaged three million viewers. This trend has led to speculation about the viability of traditional late-night formats.
Meyers has acknowledged concerns about the future of his show amid changes in the television landscape. In a recent interview on Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, recorded prior to Colbert’s cancellation announcement, Meyers expressed worry that “at some point, the ecosystem might not support” his show, though he noted this concern feels less personal than self-doubt.
Despite Trump’s criticism, Meyers continues to provide nightly commentary on current events and political developments. Recent episodes have included satirical coverage of Trump’s White House meetings and policy announcements, maintaining the critical perspective characteristic of his tenure as host. Meyers also has a strong social media presence, extending the reach of his show beyond traditional television.
The president’s threat to investigate lacks specifics, with no indication of what formal authority he might use to examine NBC’s personnel decisions. Legal experts suggest that private network programming choices typically fall outside the scope of presidential oversight, although broader regulatory matters affecting media companies may be reviewed by agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission.
