Not everyone at NBC is going soft on Donald Trump. Following backlash against Jimmy Fallon for not only hosting the vile Republican Presidential Nominee on The Tonight Show last week but also refusing to ask him a single question of substance, Seth Meyers last night took aim at the loathsome politician and it’s quite possibly the angriest we’ve ever seen him on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Taking down Trump is nothing new for Meyers—he straight up destroyed the human orange dreamsicle at the White House Correspondents Dinner in 2011 and, earlier this year, cheekily announced that Trump was not allowed to come on Late Night after Trump banned the Washington Post from covering his campaign.

Meyers—who’s currently the best host in late night television—usually takes aim at Trump in a cheeky, “Can you believe we’re talking about this guy as a Presidential nominee?” sort of way. But last night, during a new segment of A Closer Look, Meyers tackled Trump’s shameful Birther lies and could hold his contempt no longer. It’s refreshing to see someone actually real in late night television, delivering an address in earnest as opposed to looking for ways to drive up YouTube views, and the writing of this particular segment is as sharp as ever.


As the late night TV landscape pretty much completely changed in 2015, everyone’s pretty much settled into their lanes. Fallon and James Corden are very good at producing content that “goes viral”; Stephen Colbert continues to be the most uncomfortable host in late night; and Meyers has emerged as the “Voice of Reason”, a kind of antidote to the glibness that permeates The Tonight Show. Late Night is driven more by thoughtful, genuine discussion and biting satire, and Meyers not only excels at regular segments like A Closer Look and, a personal favorite, Jokes Seth Can’t Tell, but is also the best interviewer in the game.

While I imagine many will be watching this Donald Trump Birther segment who don’t regularly watch Meyers, if you find this degree of earnestness refreshing, I’d recommend checking out his full show. For now, watch a rightfully furious Meyers explain how Trump has continually shaped the narrative of the Birther movement and is now trying to dupe everyone into believing yet another falsehood.

late-night-with-seth-meyers
Image via NBC
late-night-with-seth-meyers
Image via NBC