Comedians mock president’s “vile” campaign rhetoric and disconnect from average Americans as polls hit 32%
In a week that saw Donald Trump’s approval rating sink to 32%, late-night television personalities delivered withering critiques of the president’s increasingly divisive campaign rhetoric and tone-deaf comments about wealth and ordinary Americans.
Kimmel Calls Out “Vile” Attacks and Historical Racism
Jimmy Kimmel opened his show by highlighting a Washington Post investigation revealing that the FDA had conducted safety inspections on only 5% of food products last year—a statistic he joked made “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos” safer than salad.
The comedian turned his focus to what he described as Trump’s “vomitous attacks” against various groups, particularly targeting Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, whom the president had labeled a terrorist.
“The way Trump has been talking about non-white people lately really takes you back about 200 years,” Kimmel observed, drawing parallels between the president’s rhetoric and historical periods of institutional discrimination.
Kimmel characterised watching Trump’s rallies as akin to “your grandpa’s Facebook page live on stage every day,” suggesting the president’s comments reflected outdated attitudes rather than contemporary political discourse.
The host also mocked Trump’s repeated promise of $5,000 cheques for Americans if Republicans win the midterms, questioning whether his audience could afford more than “a hamburger” at Mar-a-Lago.
Press Secretary Drama and VP Speculation
Kimmel devoted time to the brief tenure of Katie Habbab—Trump’s short-lived press secretary—and her recent Newsmax interview where she blamed the media for her departure.
“Can we bring her back please?” Kimmel joked. “We didn’t get enough time. They killed her quicker than Kenny.”
When pressed about backing JD Vance for the 2028 presidential race, Kimmel noted that Trump “dodged that question like it was the war in Vietnam.”
The comedian also touched on Donald Trump Jr.’s media presence, describing his work as primarily yelling about critics of his father on a podcast called “Triggered.”
Meyers Highlights “Dueling Presidents” and Elite Profiteering
Seth Meyers compared recent campaign footage of Barack Obama and Donald Trump, praising Obama’s “smart and salient points” while noting Trump’s fixation on discussing celebrities’ physical attributes.
“That’s gotta be the end of the ass stuff, right?” Meyers questioned, playing a montage of clips showing the president making inappropriate comments about men’s bodies.
Meyers focused particular attention on Trump’s campaigning for Ken Paxton in Texas, despite previously criticizing the candidate extensively.
“Are you trying to get this guy elected or are you trying to convince him to jump off a building?” Meyers asked, referencing Paxton’s controversial background including reports of associations with fugitives and extramarital affairs.
The “Late Night” host connected Trump’s support for Paxton to broader themes of elite enrichment, pointing to Elon Musk’s significant financial backing of the Texas candidate.
“Trump doesn’t care about anything voters care about… because he and his rich friends are making bank,” Meyers asserted, noting that Musk’s wealth had increased by 52% during Trump’s presidency.
Meyers concluded that while right-wing commentators focused on minor controversies like Obama’s Cheesecake Factory comment, average Americans were struggling financially while the wealthy continued to prosper under Republican leadership.
Broader Pattern of Disconnection
Both comedians emphasised what they saw as a fundamental disconnect between Trump’s rhetoric and the lived experiences of ordinary Americans.
Kimmel highlighted the president’s suggestion that supporters might only afford hamburgers at his luxury club, while Meyers pointed to the contrast between soaring corporate profits and stagnant wages for working families.
The late-night hosts collectively painted a picture of a president increasingly reliant on divisive rhetoric and outdated cultural references to maintain support among his base.
Why it Matters
The unified criticism from major late-night personalities reflects growing concern across mainstream media about the direction of American political discourse. As Trump’s approval ratings decline and midterm elections approach, these comedians serve as influential voices shaping public perception of presidential behaviour. Their focus on racist rhetoric and elite privilege underscores how Trump’s campaign strategy may be alienating moderate voters while energising his base. The emphasis on wealth inequality and corporate profits highlights economic issues that could prove decisive in upcoming elections, suggesting that late-night comedy is increasingly serving as a barometer for broader cultural anxieties about leadership and representation in American democracy.
