Trump Targets Seth Meyers with Criticism on Truth Social

President Donald Trump yesterday launched a series of attacks on late-night host Seth Meyers, escalating a pattern of attempts to influence media coverage critical of him.

The former and current president took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on November 2, 2025, to criticize Meyers, calling him “the least talented person to ‘perform’ live in the history of television” and questioning NBC’s decision to employ him. Trump incorrectly stated that Late Night with Seth Meyers is broadcast live, when it is pre-taped. The criticism stemmed from a segment on Thursday’s show where Meyers mocked Trump’s recent remarks about aircraft carrier catapult systems. “I watched his show the other night for the first time in years,” Trump wrote, “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. On and on he went, a truly deranged lunatic.”

Trump’s complaints echo his previous attempts to pressure networks over late-night comedy, most recently following commentary about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This occurred after ABC briefly suspended Jimmy Kimmel Live! in September following complaints from affiliate groups, a move advocated by Trump’s former FCC chair, Brendan Carr. The incident ultimately led to a ratings spike for Kimmel’s show, demonstrating the so-called “Streisand effect” where attempts to suppress information can inadvertently amplify it. Trump has a history of publicly criticizing comedians he views as unfavorable, and these actions raise questions about potential abuses of power to influence media content – a concern frequently voiced by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union.

During a speech aboard the U.S.S. George Washington on Tuesday, Trump expressed concerns that the new, electromagnetically powered catapult system could be vulnerable to water damage, a claim that has been widely debunked. Meyers referenced this in his “A Closer Look” segment, quipping, “Guy spends more time thinking about catapults than Wile E. Coyote.” Representatives for Meyers and NBC have been contacted for comment, while the White House declined to respond.

The White House has not yet issued a statement regarding the President’s social media posts, and it remains to be seen if this latest criticism will lead to further action.