Palm Beach, Florida — Former President Donald Trump took to social media over the weekend to voice his dissatisfaction with late-night television host Seth Meyers, insinuating that the comedian’s satire might cross legal boundaries. The posts, shared on Truth Social, reflect Trump’s ongoing tension with late-night talk shows that mock his administration.
In a series of posts on November 1, 2025, Trump lambasted Meyers, calling him “probably the least talented person to perform live in the history of television.” He further claimed that Meyers’ consistent anti-Trump humor was “probably illegal,” emphasizing his sentiment with assertions of Meyers having “NO TALENT, NO RATINGS, 100% ANTI TRUMP.”
The criticism followed a recent segment on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” where the host joked about Trump’s remarks regarding his preference for steam-powered catapults on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. In a tongue-in-cheek comment, Meyers quipped, “Guy spends more time thinking about catapults than Wile E. Coyote,” highlighting the absurdity of the former president’s focus.
This back-and-forth coincided with a lavish Halloween celebration held at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, themed after F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.” The party, which drew colorful 1920s-inspired outfits from attendees, faced criticism due to its timing amid the imminent expiration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—an issue affecting millions of Americans as the government remained shut down.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his disdain, criticizing Trump for prioritizing extravagant parties over pressing issues facing the vulnerable population. “He does not give a damn about you,” Newsom declared in a social media post. Fellow Democrats, including Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy and California Representative Ro Khanna, echoed this sentiment, urging a focus on the needs of struggling families rather than opulent celebrations.
Despite the backlash, prominent figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of Trump’s family, attended the gala. The event featured entertainers dressed in era-appropriate costumes; however, Trump did not comment to reporters during their presence.
In response to the criticism surrounding the party and SNAP funding, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended Trump, asserting that Democrats had the power to reopen the government. She dismissed the accusations as politically motivated distractions.
As legal matters surrounding SNAP funding unfolded, a federal judge in Rhode Island issued a temporary order to maintain the program’s funding, while another judge in Boston ruled against the administration’s attempt to suspend benefits. Trump indicated that his legal team was uncertain about their authority to ensure SNAP funding during the ongoing government shutdown and expressed a desire for swift judicial resolution.
As of November 3, 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to allocate half of the SNAP benefits using contingency funds, responding to pressures from the courts.
In recent months, Trump has intensified his critiques of late-night talk show hosts, perceiving their humor as part of a larger bias against him. He previously celebrated the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, linking it to alleged negative portrayals of conservatives. This pattern reflects Trump’s broader sentiment that mainstream media coverage is overwhelmingly hostile.
While late-night hosts like Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart continue to illustrate the former president’s controversies through satire, many observers note that the dynamic between Trump and these comedians underscores a significant cultural divide. Trump’s reactions suggest he perceives their commentary not merely as comedic but as a concerted effort to undermine his influence.