Late-night TV had a rough go Wednesday evening as liberal hosts like Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon grappled with President-elect Donald Trump’s historic win. Less than 24 hours after Trump swept back into the White House, these left-leaning hosts struggled to keep their composure, delivering thinly veiled monologues of frustration and despair.
In true Hollywood style, the late-night comedy scene turned more into a late-night therapy session as each host processed Trump’s victory, one disappointed quip at a time.
Jimmy Kimmel’s “Worst Taco Tuesday” and Tearful Rant
Kimmel opened his show by admitting he had spent most of the day stewing over what to say about Trump’s victory. “I spent a lot of time over the past 17 hours thinking about what I would say tonight, or even if there’s anything to say tonight, and there’s nothing. Goodnight, everybody,” he said, pretending to walk offstage.
Returning with a dramatic sigh, the 56-year-old comedian, notorious for his anti-Trump rants, tried his best to downplay his sorrow, joking that election night was the “worst taco Tuesday of [his] whole life.” He admitted he was still “figuring out what happened,” clearly troubled by the turn of events.
Kimmel, never one to miss an opportunity to exaggerate, called Trump’s victory a disaster for “women, children, and the hardworking immigrants who make this country go,” with a pause as he tried to choke back tears. He added that it was a “bad night” for anyone who voted for Trump, saying, “You just don’t realize it yet.”
The monologue took a sharp turn as Kimmel accused the win of being a victory for “Russian President Vladimir Putin, polio, Silicon Valley billionaires, and the wriggling brain worms who sold their souls to bow down to Donald Trump.” After working himself up, Kimmel despondently predicted that this Trump term “is probably gonna be worse, maybe a lot worse” than the last.
Seth Meyers: Sarcasm Turned Cynicism
NBC’s Seth Meyers, another vocal anti-Trumper, launched into his own post-election monologue with a sarcasm-tinged lament. He confessed he voted for Kamala Harris, sarcastically suggesting it was no surprise given his leanings.
Meyers, who often relies on snide jabs and over-the-top cynicism, compared election night to Christmas Eve, except instead of presents, “Santa took a huge dump in your fireplace.” His “A Closer Look” segment only turned darker as he wrestled with Trump’s win, calling him “a bad person” based on “everything [he’s] ever been taught about what makes someone good or bad.”
With each line, Meyers’ sarcasm grew more biting. “Well, Donald Trump has won the 2024 election and will be president again for four more years—or eight or 12 or whatever,” he quipped with a maniacal laugh. “We live in an infinite time-warp where Donald Trump has always been and will always be the center of the universe. There can be no escape, all hail our powerful and benevolent supreme leader,” Meyers droned, with a hint of desperation.
Stephen Colbert’s Somber Confession
CBS host Stephen Colbert opened his show by looking straight into the camera, adopting a serious tone. “Hey there, how are you doing?” Colbert said. “If you watch this show regularly, I’m guessing you’re not doing great. Yeah, me neither.”
The typically sardonic comedian took on a more reflective approach, sharing a story about how someone had apologized to him for having to do a show after the election. Colbert claimed he was grateful to have his platform, though he urged viewers not to face “times like this” alone, admitting that it was “good to be doing a comedy show.” The show’s “cold open” then played a montage of election night coverage, setting a somber backdrop for Colbert’s opening.
For all his usual zingers, Colbert’s mood seemed almost defeated, an ironic position given his years of hyper-partisan jabs aimed at the former president. He hinted at the challenges ahead but left many of his supporters likely feeling even more disheartened.
Jimmy Fallon’s Forced Jokes and Half-Hearted Laughs
NBC’s Jimmy Fallon was perhaps the least shaken, though his routine of light-hearted jabs and half-hearted laughs revealed his discomfort. Fallon opened with, “Well, guys, last night America decided to get back with a crazy ex and elect Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States.” He added, “No matter who you voted for, I think we can all agree it’s going to be a rough Thanksgiving.”
Fallon managed a few one-liners, joking that Democrats were so shaken they’d turned to Elon Musk to ask, “So, tell me more about living on Mars—how close are we?” The joke may have landed, but Fallon’s half-hearted delivery suggested he was a bit out of sorts.
He continued with a quip about the unusual alliance of “Donald Trump and Don Julio,” poking fun at the nation’s drinking habits in times of stress.
Liberal Meltdowns Over Trump’s Win Reflect a Deep Divide
Each late-night host had their own approach, but the message was clear: Hollywood and the left-leaning media were reeling. Instead of embracing the democratic process, these hosts doubled down on the kind of dramatic monologues and doomsday predictions that have become a mainstay of their anti-Trump rhetoric.
For conservatives, the reactions underscored a long-standing divide in American media. These meltdowns were as revealing as they were entertaining, showing how deeply entrenched the political and cultural divides have become. Instead of fair assessments or a moment of introspection, viewers saw a series of temper tantrums—delivered with varying degrees of emotional distress. As Trump prepares to enter a second term, one thing is certain: the drama on late-night TV is just getting started.
