In the early hours of the morning, former President Donald Trump took to social media to launch a scathing attack on Seth Meyers and his network, NBC, accusing them of using their platform to deliver what he referred to as “political hits.” Trump’s comments were posted at 1:24 a.m. ET on Truth Social, where he targeted NBC and its parent company, Comcast, over what he claims is biased and unfair treatment of him and the Republican Party.
Trump’s anger was sparked by a recent segment on Late Night with Seth Meyers, where Meyers made fun of Trump’s explanation of how wildfires in California were being handled. In his typically sarcastic style, Meyers mocked Trump’s comments about rainfall, referring to him as “Kid Science.” “He didn’t even have to Google that,” Meyers quipped, adding, “Rain comes from clouds, you doink!” This playful jab appeared to rile Trump, who responded by calling out both Meyers and NBC.
Trump’s Long-Standing Grievances With NBC and Comcast
This recent outburst is far from the first time Trump has criticized NBC, MSNBC, and Comcast for what he sees as biased or negative coverage. Over the years, Trump has repeatedly accused these networks of trying to damage his reputation through unfair reporting. In his latest social media rant, Trump dismissed Meyers as “Marble Mouth Meyers” and labeled him “dumb and untalented,” claiming that NBC’s programming serves only to benefit the Democratic Party. He argued that the network’s content, which often includes commentary on political issues, isn’t entertainment but rather “political hits” aimed at discrediting him and the Republican Party.
Trump further accused Comcast of providing “in-kind contributions” to the left-wing agenda, urging that the company should face serious financial consequences for its programming. He stated bluntly, “Comcast should pay a BIG price for this!”
The Regulatory Stakes for Comcast and NBC
Trump’s criticism of NBC and Comcast has more significant implications than a simple media feud. If he were to return to the White House, Trump could use his political influence to push for stricter regulations on media companies like Comcast. Under his administration, Brendan Carr, an appointee to the FCC, indicated that the agency could examine media content for bias, pointing to cases where networks have allegedly violated rules regarding equal airtime for candidates.
One example Carr referenced was the way CBS’s 60 Minutes edited an interview with Kamala Harris and the controversy surrounding NBC’s Saturday Night Live coverage of the 2020 election. NBC had given airtime to the Biden campaign, but critics, including Carr, argued that other candidates—particularly third-party ones—were left out. Trump’s remarks and regulatory pressure suggest that media companies could face heightened scrutiny under a potential second Trump term.
Media Mergers and Antitrust Concerns
Trump’s attack on Comcast is also occurring amid changes in the media industry. Comcast is reportedly considering spinning off MSNBC and other cable assets, a move that could require regulatory approval. Given Trump’s previous stance on media mergers, there is speculation about how his administration would handle such changes. During his first term, Trump’s Justice Department challenged the merger of AT&T and Time Warner, which was seen as a response to the negative coverage CNN—owned by Time Warner—had given him. The case ultimately ended in a victory for AT&T, but many insiders believed the lawsuit was politically motivated.
In contrast, when Fox sought to sell its studio assets to Disney, the deal was quickly approved, raising questions about potential inconsistencies in how media mergers are regulated based on political influence.
A Sharp Contrast with Biden’s Relationship with Late-Night TV
Trump’s relationship with late-night TV hosts, especially Seth Meyers, is vastly different from President Joe Biden’s more amicable interactions with the same platform. In 2023, Biden visited the Late Night with Seth Meyers studio to help celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary, indicating a more cordial connection between the current president and late-night hosts. This difference underscores the ongoing tensions between conservative figures like Trump and mainstream media, especially in the realm of political commentary.
