Despite once being cultural powerhouses, late-night shows like those hosted by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jimmy Fallon are facing dire ratings drops in the wake of Trump’s political resurgence. A recent study from the Media Research Center revealed that late-night comedians have been overwhelmingly focused on mocking Trump, with around 1,463 jokes directed at him and his running mate, Kamala Harris, during the peak of the 2024 election season. A staggering 98% of these jokes targeted Trump himself, while vice presidential hopeful JD Vance was the brunt of 78% of the remaining jokes.
This relentless satire, often seen as evidence of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” does not appear to resonate anymore with viewers. Many fans of late-night programming have grown disenchanted, leading to substantial declines in viewer engagement and a struggle for shows to retain their previous success.
Compounding these challenges is the Democrats' own post-election identity crisis. With no clear leader or replacement to rally behind, the party's tribulations reflect the disarray among Hollywood stars. Figures like Alec Baldwin and Cher, who claimed they would move to Canada should Trump regain power, have yet to follow through with such promises, adding a layer of irony to the current landscape.
This decline in late-night television signifies a broader cultural shift in America. With Trump back in the political arena, the media and entertainment sectors are undergoing significant transformation. Late-night comedy may need to adapt its approach, moving toward more unifying content if it seeks to reclaim its status in an increasingly divided audience landscape.
This relentless satire, often seen as evidence of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” does not appear to resonate anymore with viewers. Many fans of late-night programming have grown disenchanted, leading to substantial declines in viewer engagement and a struggle for shows to retain their previous success.
Compounding these challenges is the Democrats' own post-election identity crisis. With no clear leader or replacement to rally behind, the party's tribulations reflect the disarray among Hollywood stars. Figures like Alec Baldwin and Cher, who claimed they would move to Canada should Trump regain power, have yet to follow through with such promises, adding a layer of irony to the current landscape.
This decline in late-night television signifies a broader cultural shift in America. With Trump back in the political arena, the media and entertainment sectors are undergoing significant transformation. Late-night comedy may need to adapt its approach, moving toward more unifying content if it seeks to reclaim its status in an increasingly divided audience landscape.
