First it was Stephen Colbert. Then it was Jimmy Kimmel. It was only a matter of time until the famously thin-skinned Trump got around to bashing Seth Meyers, yet another comedian who hosts a network late night talk show. Yes, Trump went off on a rant and his FCC Chair dutifully agreed Meyers should be taken off the air. As predictable as Trump’s social media attack was, just as predictable was blowback on social media with the best response being the one cited about Trump being able to “dish it out” but not being able to “take it.” It sums Trump up perfectly.
Actually, Trump isn’t just capable of dishing out attacks on others, he LOVES doing it. The more boorish, childish, unfair and even vile the attacks the more Trump enjoys tossing them out into social media and the national discourse. Sometimes it’s just for fun because yes, he’s that big an asshole. Sometimes it’s calculated because he needs to district people, especially the media from focusing on his latest failure, screwup or idiotic new proposal. (That will almost certainly turn out to be a new failure/screwup) The thing is, comedians and especially late night talk show hosts have a long and storied tradition of calling out Presidents when they mess up or say stupid things.
Now, Seth Meyers who has long been a tormenter of Trumpty-Dumpty is the target of the the worst President in our history, a dude so pathetic he PAINTS HIS FACE ORANGE. Back before television was invented, or radio had become a staple in households there was a saying that one shouldn’t pick a fight with those who buy ink by the barrel. Politicians that had even moderate common sense followed that sage advice. They knew better than to swing at pitches in the dirt. Wise ones, even when in truth they were ticked off knew it was best to ‘grin and bear it.’ It even usually helped to do so!
However Trump isn’t wise. Hell, he doesn’t even possess mere average intelligence and common sense. For all his PR savvy in reaching voters who feel neglected by the system he just can’t take criticism for being unwilling, or even able to actually address the concerns of all those MAGAs who believe in him. So, as the Atlanta Black Star reports it’s Meyer’s turn to be the primary target of Donald “Hurt Fee Fees’ Trump:
I’ll get to Myers’ reaction in a minute. First, much as I hate to extend any fairness to Trump I’m compelled to say something: None of us like getting called out even when we know in our hearts we’ve got it coming. Even Presidents and other heads of state know there’s a group of people (comedians) who can and will do what journalists too often can’t – point out their foibles in a way that people notice. And, more importantly remember. Humor and satire can do that to anyone. Even a good President or head of state who usually gets things right is going to get skewered sometimes because a) there will always be those who oppose this or that policy or decision, and b) people like to laugh and seeing even powerful people get cut down to size is satisfying.
Leaders, be they politicians, business types or even high level journalists know that taking criticism comes with the job. In my lifetime the hosts of the so-called Big Three network’s late night talk shows have regularly skewered every President. Going all the way back to Jimmy Carter Presidents seemed to know it was best to mostly ignore it. To varying degrees some even played along, even Republicans! So many things were different “BT” (Before Trump) but like all dictators or wannabe dictators he HATES being mocked. Truly HATES it. More importantly Trump has a form of politician vs. comedian Tourtette Syndrome and simply can’t help himself – he’s got to lash out in response.
In Trump’s case, it’s not just a question of engaging into a back and forth, he’s quite willing and even eager to abuse his power and order the FCC to try and take people (including and especially comedic late night TV hosts) off the air. FCC Chair Brendan Carr was just fine with the late night hosts poking fun at Joe Biden. In 2022 Carr even posted a tweet about how important it was the government to allow free speech, even if was issued to even if said speech was directed at a sitting President:
In 2022, Carr tweeted, “President Biden is right. Political satire is one of the oldest and most important forms of free speech. It challenges those in power while using humor to draw more people in to the discussion. That’s why people in influential positions have always targeted it for censorship.” Renewed interest in the post includes a reaction that called him a “spineless MAGA coward.”
Carr of course is singing a different tune now that his lips are surgically attached to Trump’s big, fat white ass. ETTD including Carr’s belief in free speech and the value of political satire. When a Democrat is back in the White House you can be damned sure that Carr will be all FOR free speech and late night comedians taking the President to task which will of course happen. All this isn’t really news except for the fact that Trump is desperate to shift the news away from Epstein and blowing up small boats in the ocean without Congressional approval or an invasion of Venezuela. (also without Congressional approval) Well, as I said Myers decided to respond to Trump’s allegations including his (Meyers’) having been in an “uncontrollable rage..”
Unfortunately I can’t get the video clip of Myers in the tweet that I saw to copy here. Yes, I checked YouTube which has tons of Myers’ clips but curiously the one in question is nowhere to be found. Hmmmmm. You think perhaps Carr made a call to YouTube? Well, even if they are trying to hide it the toothpaste is out of the Tube, but you’ll have to click on the lined article to see it. I PROMISE it’s worth the time. So is the clip of Meyers roasting Trump at that infamous WH Correspondent’s dinner before Obama took his own turn. Proof if you will that as the original tweeter stated showing what an asshat Trump is (and always has been) is old hat.
In closing I’ll say that if Trump’s goal is to take Myers off the air it’s futile. Trump might even know this but assumed he’d at least drive down Myers’ ratings. However recent history with both Colbert and Kimmel suggest Trump will actually accomplish the OPPOSITE of what he set out to do. As one tweet said of the one this article talks about:
Another person asked, “Didn’t you guys try this before? Didn’t work out too well, did it? Jimmy Kimmel came back and to increased ratings.”
Perhaps Myers will wind up getting a boost, and tweak Trump with a Thank You card for doing so!
Friends, I know everyone begs you for money. I promise, among all those asking for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a group of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. The rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the chance to keep telling the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
