Late-night host Seth Meyers has delivered a scathing assessment of Donald Trump's presidency, highlighting a significant erosion of support within the Republican base. Meyers pointed to a combination of the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal and a series of policy missteps as the primary reasons for the former president's declining popularity.
Plummeting Polls and Policy Gaffes
During a segment on his show, Meyers cited a recent poll showing that only 33% of American adults approve of Trump's handling of the government. This figure represents a notable drop from March, with the decline driven largely by Republicans and independents. Meyers described this shift as a "meaningful and real development" for the one-time leader.
The comedian zeroed in on several recent incidents that have alienated Trump's core supporters. He highlighted an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham where Trump defended H-1B visas, suggesting the US lacked enough people with "certain talents." Meyers quipped, "You can't expect me to make America again with only Americans," mocking what he characterised as a negative view of American workers from their own president.
Meyers also criticised Trump for disparaging people in unemployment lines, remarking, "Why are you shitting on people in the unemployment line? If you didn't have a rich dad, that's where you would be." He argued that a president should act as a "cheerleader for America," before playing a montage that contrasted Trump's past promises with his current rhetoric.
The Epstein Scandal's Political Fallout
A significant source of the growing discontent, according to Meyers, is the far-reaching Jeffrey Epstein scandal. He noted that this is a conspiracy that the MAGA movement had "spent years obsessing over," and its connection to Trump has now "caused a panic in Trump world."
Meyers referenced a dramatic, flustered appearance by Trump in front of the press, where the former president refused to take questions while insisting it was a "great day." "I have never seen anyone so sad while saying the words 'it's a great day'," Meyers observed. "He looks like a kid that asked for an Xbox for Christmas but got a jigsaw puzzle instead."
The host detailed the "emergency meetings" concerning the Epstein files, which involved a string of high-ranking names. In a particularly biting joke, Meyers noted that controversial Colorado representative Lauren Boebert was one of the few Republicans to vote for the release of the documents. "You know you're in the shit when you've got to count on Lauren Boebert to bail you out," he said, referring to her as a "crazy" person.
A Shifting Political Landscape
Meyers concluded that after a decade, a "sizable portion of the MAGA-base" is growing frustrated with Trump on both policy and the Epstein scandal. While he clarified it is not yet a majority, he emphasised that a "growing number of Republicans are losing patience with Trump."
This analysis paints a picture of a political figure who, as Meyers stated, is "by all accounts the most unpopular president of all time," and who is now seeing the tight grip on his party begin to loosen under the weight of multiple controversies.
