President Donald Trump aimed at late-night television hosts during a Wednesday press conference, signaling a shift in America’s entertainment tastes.
Fox News reported that Trump's bold prediction that Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon’s shows face cancellation reflects a growing fatigue with what he calls the “hate Trump” model. This jab, delivered with Trump’s signature bravado, stirs a broader conversation about the relevance of politicized comedy.
Trump’s remarks came in response to a question from Real America’s Voice reporter Brian Glenn. The president seized the moment to highlight the recent cancellation of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” He argued that Colbert’s exit proves audiences are rejecting shows built on anti-Trump sentiment.
CBS confirmed that Colbert’s show will end in May, a decision that has sparked debate. Trump pointed to this as evidence of declining popularity for late-night hosts who lean heavily on political jabs. He didn’t mince words, claiming these shows lack the draw they once had.
Some liberal commentators have suggested CBS axed Colbert’s show to curry favor with Trump. Paramount, CBS’s parent company, swiftly countered that the decision was purely financial. The truth likely lies in the numbers, as audiences increasingly tune out predictable political rants.
Trump didn’t stop at Colbert. He predicted that Kimmel and Fallon, hosts of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” are next on the chopping block. His reasoning? A lack of talent and a tired formula that fails to resonate with viewers.
“Fallon has no talent. Kimmel has no talent,” Trump declared during the press conference. Such bluntness is classic Trump, but it raises questions about whether late-night TV can survive without fresh ideas. The audience, he suggests, craves entertainment over ideology.
Last month, Trump took to Truth Social to amplify his point. He wrote that Kimmel is “NEXT to go” and that Fallon would soon follow in the “untalented Late Night Sweepstakes.” The post underscores his belief that these shows are relics of a fading era.
Trump’s critique isn’t just personal; it’s a cultural observation. He argues that the “hate Trump” model has alienated viewers who want humor without an agenda. The declining ratings of these shows lend some weight to his claim.
The press conference wasn’t all about late-night TV. Trump also reflected on his past appearances on Howard Stern’s radio show, which he described as fun. However, he noted that Stern’s audience tanked after endorsing Hillary Clinton in 2016.
“He lost his audience,” Trump said of Stern. The comment ties into his broader narrative: entertainers who double down on divisive politics risk losing their base. It’s a warning shot to hosts banking on outrage to stay relevant.
Brian Glenn’s question about Stern’s potential exit from Sirius XM after his contract expires framed the discussion.
Trump used it to pivot to his critique of late-night TV’s struggles. The connection? A shared reliance on anti-Trump rhetoric that’s wearing thin.
Trump’s remarks resonate with a conservative audience frustrated by Hollywood’s leftward tilt. Yet, his point about talent—or lack thereof—invites scrutiny. Are these hosts failing because of politics, or is the late-night format itself growing stale?
The data supports Trump’s argument to an extent. Colbert’s ratings, while stronger than Kimmel’s or Fallon’s, haven’t shielded him from cancellation. This suggests a broader trend: audiences want more than snarky monologues.
Trump’s prediction that Kimmel and Fallon are next may be premature, but it’s not baseless. Their shows have struggled to maintain cultural relevance in a fractured media landscape. Streaming platforms and social media offer fresher, less preachy alternatives.
