In a recent rally, Donald Trump sparked curiosity by bringing up the iconic late-night host Johnny Carson. His comments about Carson and the current state of late-night television raised eyebrows and garnered mixed reactions from the public and media.
So, what did Donald Trump say about Johnny Carson? Here is everything you need to know.
Donald Trump wants Johnny Carson to come back
At a recent rally in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump made headlines by urging NBC to bring back Johnny Carson, the legendary late-night host who passed away nearly 20 years ago. Trump criticized the current late-night lineup, which includes Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Kimmel, claiming that their shows are “all dying” and lack the charm and talent that Carson brought to the screen.
Reflecting on his own appearance on The Tonight Show back in 2015, Trump suggested that the show has lost its former glory. He asserted, “Where is Johnny Carson? Bring back Johnny.” He complained about the decline in quality in late-night television and criticized the current hosts, saying, “These three guys are so bad” (via Variety).
During his remarks, Trump specifically singled out Fallon, saying he’s “not very funny,” following a clip of Kamala Harris from 2020 that aired during the rally. He noted that Fallon’s attempts at comedy, particularly in the clip where Harris joked about fracking, fell flat in comparison to the humor of past hosts.
The former president’s comments quickly gained traction online, especially given Carson’s long absence. Joy Behar, a co-host of The View, humorously suggested the possibility of a “seance” to revive the late-night legend.
In his speech, Trump also said, “I don’t like anybody that doesn’t like me. I’ll be honest, when they don’t like me, I don’t like them. OK? Sounds childish… That’s the way it is. Call it a personality defect.” Meanwhile, Behar warned that Trump’s critiques of comedians are a troubling sign.
The ongoing feud between Trump and Kimmel is well-known, with both exchanging insults over the years. Kimmel recently took a jab at Trump during the Oscars by reading aloud Trump’s harsh review of the ceremony. This led to more insults exchanged in interviews afterward.
