Donald Trump Calls Seth Meyers’ Mockery ‘Probably Illegal’ After Late Night Jabs
When it comes to political satire, late-night television has always been a battleground.
But once again, Donald Trump is turning up the heat. The former president recently took to Truth Social to lash out at Late Night with Seth Meyers host Seth Meyers, accusing him of being anti-Trump, and even suggesting that his on-air jokes might be “probably illegal.”
Trump’s fiery post quickly gained attention, sparking another round of debate about comedy, free speech, and the fine line between humor and hate.
Trump Goes Off on Seth Meyers
On Saturday, Nov. 1, Trump shared a long post on his Truth Social platform aimed squarely at Meyers, 51, after the comedian poked fun at his recent trip to Asia. The president, 79, didn’t hold back his anger, calling Meyers “a truly deranged lunatic” and taking issue with what he saw as unfair ridicule.
In his post, Trump ranted, “Seth Meyers of NBC may be the least talented person to ‘perform’ live in the history of television. In fact, he may be the WORST to perform, live or otherwise.”
He continued, “I watched his show the other night for the first time in years. In it he talked endlessly about electric catapults on aircraft carriers which I complain about as not being as good as much less expensive steam catapults.”
Then came the part that had everyone talking. Trump added, “On and on he went, a truly deranged lunatic. Why does NBC waste its time and money on a guy like this??? NO TALENT, NO RATINGS, 100% ANTI TRUMP, WHICH IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL!!!”
That last line — about being “probably illegal” — immediately went viral, prompting thousands of online comments ranging from laughter to disbelief.
What Sparked Trump’s Outburst
So what exactly got under Trump’s skin this time?
During a segment on Late Night with Seth Meyers, the comedian mocked Trump’s speech in Japan, where he announced plans to bring back steam-powered catapults on U.S. aircraft carriers. Meyers played a clip of Trump’s speech and sarcastically called it an “expert treatise” on catapults.
Then he added with a smirk, “I’ll try my best to explain the gist of what he’s talking about in a new segment we’re calling ‘Seth Translates Trump to English.’”
The jokes kept rolling. Meyers later quipped, “Experts say it would cost billions to go back to the old system, but Trump thinks he knows more about aviation than everyone else because he dances like one of those guys that holds the signaling sticks on the runway.”
The show even aired an edited clip of Trump dancing, dressed like an aircraft marshaller, drawing laughter from the live audience.
But Trump, clearly not amused, decided to hit back hard — and personally.
Late-Night Feuds Are Nothing New
This isn’t the first time Trump has gone after Meyers. Their feud dates back years, all the way to when Meyers roasted him at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an event some believe inspired Trump’s eventual run for president.
Since then, the former president has regularly criticized Meyers, often calling him “talentless” and “boring.” In August, after NBC renewed Meyers’ contract for several more years, Trump wrote that the comedian “has no Ratings, Talent, or Intelligence, and the Personality of an insecure child.”
And Meyers, for his part, hasn’t exactly been gentle in return. Like other late-night hosts such as Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert, he’s made Trump a recurring punchline on his show — often dissecting his speeches, policies, and social media posts.
Trump vs. Late Night: An Ongoing Battle
Trump’s latest tirade is just part of a larger pattern. Over the past few months, he’s gone after several other late-night comedians as well.
Back in July, Trump celebrated the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with a triumphant post on Truth Social. He also slammed Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Kimmel was briefly suspended for making controversial remarks about the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk.
At the time, Trump demanded Kimmel be fired entirely. But when Disney announced the show’s return on September 23, Seth Meyers stood in solidarity with Kimmel, telling his audience it “is possible to stand up to this kind of bullying and censorship.”
That comment may have further fueled Trump’s resentment toward Meyers, setting the stage for his latest online explosion.
Free Speech or “Illegal” Mockery?
Trump’s claim that Meyers’ jokes are “probably illegal” has stirred plenty of conversation and confusion. Legal experts and comedians alike were quick to point out that criticizing or mocking public figures, including presidents, is fully protected under the First Amendment.
Still, Trump has long expressed frustration with late-night shows, which he views as politically biased. In the past, he has floated the idea of “equal time” regulations for networks, implying that constant negative coverage of him is unfair and should be restricted.
Whether he truly believes it’s illegal or was just being dramatic remains unclear. But one thing is certain: Trump’s latest rant has once again given late-night hosts plenty of fresh material to work with.
The Bottom Line
Donald Trump and Seth Meyers have been locked in a comedic and political tug-of-war for years, and neither seems ready to back down. What started as a few harmless jokes about aircraft carriers turned into another headline-making social media storm.
While Trump continues to rail against comedians who mock him, hosts like Meyers seem to thrive on the controversy. Every jab and response fuels the cycle, keeping both men in the spotlight.
And in the world of late-night television, attention — whether good or bad — is everything.
If history is any indicator, this won’t be the last time Trump takes aim at a late-night comedian. But for now, Seth Meyers appears unfazed, still laughing all the way through his monologue while the former president fumes online.
