A Night of Laughter and Political Tensions
On Thursday, Greg Gutfeld, a prominent host on Fox News and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The appearance came at a time when Trump was making subtle hints that some late-night comedians, including Saturday Night Live alum and fellow comedian Jimmy Kimmel, might soon face the end of their careers. Despite the political undertones, the segment focused more on humor and personal anecdotes rather than contentious debates.
Fallon welcomed Gutfeld with open arms, and the two hosts avoided any direct political discussion. Instead, they shared a lighthearted story about their first encounter in a bar in Hell’s Kitchen. Both were “wasted” at the time, leading to a drunken wrestling match. Gutfeld recounted the incident with enthusiasm, describing how he tackled Fallon like a “giant golden retriever” and even wrestled his friend Andy. The audience responded warmly, showing their appreciation for the entertaining exchange.
Gutfeld also used the opportunity to promote his new game show, What Did I Miss?, while reflecting on his career before joining Fox News. He joked about the potential crossover between himself and Fallon, calling it “the biggest since the Harlem Globetrotters visited the Golden Girls.” Gutfeld suggested that Fallon’s decision to appear with him showed that the host wasn’t afraid to challenge his peers or embrace Gutfeld’s “mesmerizing charm.”
This wasn’t the first time Fallon had faced criticism for engaging with conservative figures. In 2016, he famously hosted Trump on The Tonight Show just months before the presidential election. During the show, he played with Trump’s hair to check if it was real, a move that upset some viewers. Fallon later expressed regret, stating that he didn’t intend to humanize Trump but rather minimize him. He admitted that the gesture backfired and said he would have handled it differently.
Despite this, Fallon has consistently maintained that political comedy isn’t his focus. In a 2017 interview with The New York Times, he said, “I don’t really even care that much about politics. I love pop culture more than I love politics.” However, he faced backlash after the segment with Trump, which led to a public outburst where he questioned what the audience wanted from him.
Trump, on the other hand, was not pleased with Fallon’s attempts to distance himself from the controversy. He criticized the host on Twitter, urging him to “Be a man, Jimmy!”
During the show, Fallon made a risqué joke about Trump’s tariff policy, referencing “Epstein Island” in a light-hearted manner. This came shortly before Gutfeld’s appearance, highlighting the ongoing tension between late-night hosts and the former president.
Trump has been targeting late-night comedians recently, especially after the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the end of Howard Stern’s Sirius XM radio show. At a press conference, he claimed that comedians like Colbert, Fallon, and Kimmel lacked talent and were “next” in line for similar fates. He even mocked Colbert, saying he could find people on the street who would do better.
Gutfeld, however, has always been a strong supporter of Trump. He celebrated the former president’s high ratings on Fox News and praised his ability to draw large audiences. Gutfeld also took pleasure in the cancellation of The Late Show, joking that it was an “institution” that was shut down without replacement. He compared it to a bad chef being fired for poor performance.
While the conversation around late-night comedy and politics remains heated, the appearance of Gutfeld on The Tonight Show showcased a different side of the industry—one filled with humor, nostalgia, and camaraderie.