Trump Attacks NBC Late-Night Host Seth Meyers Over Contract Extension

President Donald Trump launched a scathing early morning attack on NBC and late-night television host Seth Meyers on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, vowing to investigate why the network extended the comedian’s contract and calling him “one of the least talented” hosts in the industry. The president’s tirade, posted on Truth Social shortly before 2 a.m. ET, represents the latest escalation in his ongoing feud with late-night television hosts who frequently criticize his administration.

Presidential Social Media Outburst

In his Truth Social post, Trump described reports of Meyers’ contract extension as a “sick rumor,” writing: “There is a sick rumor going around that Fake News NBC extended the contract of one of the least talented Late Night television hosts out there, Seth Meyers”. The president did not hold back in his personal attacks, claiming that Meyers “has no Ratings, Talent, or Intelligence, and the Personality of an insecure child”.

Trump concluded his post with a vow to take action, stating: “So, why would Fake News NBC extend this dope’s contract. I don’t know, but I’ll definitely be finding out!!!”. The president did not specify what investigative measures he might pursue or explain why the chief executive would involve himself in entertainment industry contract negotiations.

Context and Timing

The timing of Trump’s attack appears puzzling, as NBC had already publicly announced Meyers’ contract extension back in May 2024, securing the comedian’s position as host of “Late Night with Seth Meyers” through 2028. The show, which has aired since 2014, features Meyers delivering political satire and commentary that frequently targets the Trump administration.

This latest outburst follows Trump’s recent celebration of CBS’s decision to cancel Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show,” which the network framed as “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night”. At the time of Colbert’s cancellation announcement, Trump hinted that other late-night hosts might face similar consequences for their critical coverage of his presidency.

Background on Late-Night Television Tensions

Trump’s relationship with late-night television has been consistently adversarial throughout his political career. The president has repeatedly targeted hosts who mock his administration, and reports suggest he previously attempted to have Disney censor ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel during his first term. Trump has also pursued legal action against major networks, securing multimillion-dollar settlements from both ABC and CBS in recent defamation cases.

The president’s attacks on late-night television represent a broader pattern of criticism directed at media outlets and entertainment figures who provide unfavorable coverage of his administration. His threat to investigate Meyers’ contract comes just days after he suggested that ABC and NBC should lose their broadcast licenses and “pay up BIG”.

Meyers’ Show and Career

Seth Meyers has hosted “Late Night” for over a decade, taking over the program in 2014 after serving as head writer and “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live” for multiple seasons. The show airs weeknights at 12:35 a.m. ET on NBC and features celebrity interviews, political commentary, and various recurring comedy segments. Despite Trump’s claims about ratings, the show has maintained its position in the competitive late-night television landscape and continues to attract viewers in its time slot.

Conclusion

Trump’s Wednesday morning attack on Seth Meyers represents another chapter in his ongoing conflict with late-night television hosts who criticize his presidency. While the president’s threat to investigate NBC’s contract decisions raises questions about potential government interference in entertainment industry business practices, it remains unclear what specific actions, if any, Trump might take. The incident underscores the continuing tension between the administration and media figures who use comedy and satire to critique political leadership, a dynamic that has become increasingly prominent in contemporary American political discourse.