Despite relentless comedic attacks targeting Donald Trump throughout the 2024 election cycle, late-night television hosts like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Seth Meyers couldn't prevent his presidential victory. Their efforts, which included fundraising millions for Democratic opponents and a barrage of anti-Trump jokes, ultimately proved ineffective.
A Media Research Center study revealed a stark imbalance in political humor on major late-night shows. From September 3 to October 25, 2024, nearly 98% of the 1,463 jokes about Trump and Kamala Harris targeted Trump. This lopsided approach, while potentially satisfying existing anti-Trump viewers, seemingly failed to persuade undecided voters.
Tim Graham, executive editor of MRC Newsbusters, argued that these comedians primarily preached to the choir, reinforcing existing biases rather than changing minds. He cited examples like Kimmel's wife, Molly McNearney, advising Trump to "shut up and go away" on air, highlighting the overtly partisan nature of these shows.
"Saturday Night Live" also faced criticism for its Trump-focused sketches, including one that trivialized assassination attempts against the then-candidate, drawing condemnation from the Trump campaign. The show also drew fire for featuring Kamala Harris shortly before the election without offering equal time to Trump, raising concerns about potential FCC violations.
Beyond jokes, several late-night hosts actively supported the Democratic campaign. Kimmel hosted a fundraiser that garnered over $30 million for Biden, while Colbert participated in another that raised $26 million. Kimmel also penned a fundraising email endorsing Harris. Despite these efforts, Trump's victory triggered emotional responses from the late-night hosts, ranging from profanity-laced disappointment to on-air tears.
