Late-Night Hosts React to Trump and Musk’s Messy Breakup

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Yesterday’s events serve as a reminder of the purpose of late-night television. As soon as Trump started discussing his strained relationship with Elon Musk, his “Dark MAGA” friend, during a joint press conference with German chancellor Friedrich Merz, social media was flooded with jokes. It was clear to anyone following the world of late-night entertainment that the hosts, particularly the Jimmys, would find this news story amusing.

As Musk and Trump exchanged heated words on social media, leading Musk to accuse Trump of hiding Epstein files due to his possible involvement, it was evident that the writers for shows like “The Daily Show”, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”, and “Late Night With Seth Meyers” were eagerly brainstorming monologue jokes. Given that all these shows were airing this week, the audience was well-supplied with content. Here’s a glimpse of how each show responded to this dramatic turn of events.

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=rMIZ2oEd5WU&t=1s&ab_channel=TheTonightShowStarringJimmyFallon

In a brief monologue about Trump and Elon’s breakup, Jimmy Fallon mentioned Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, and Kendrick Lamar. He made light of the situation by saying even those involved in public squabbles like these three would say, “Ease up, fellas.” It’s worth noting that their friendship deteriorated rapidly, according to Fallon – “Their relationship plummeted faster than an autonomous Tesla.

The Daily Show

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=uKvfdkIfxaI&t

Multiple attempts will be made to coin a snappy title for the contentious separation between Trump and Musk, but comedian Michael Kosta from The Daily Show might emerge victorious with the straightforward and impactful “World War Douche.” Prior to delivering his punchline, Kosta offered a detailed account of the events that led up to this inevitable split. In reference to Musk’s disclosure, he joked, “Of course Trump is in the Epstein files. That’s like saying, ‘Guys, there are aliens in the X-Files.’

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=1k1lOINq51c&ab_channel=TheLateShowwithStephenColbert

On his show the other night, Colbert remarked that a big argument has started between two well-known friends, Donald Trump and Elon Musk. He found the situation amusing, comparing it to a spicy, messy meal. Trump, who recently bought a Tesla car, criticized it on social media, but Colbert pointed out this is ironic because Trump himself owns a Tesla. Colbert joked that maybe Trump should get a bumper sticker for his Tesla that says he owned it before Musk made it seem like they were friends with Jeffrey Epstein.

Late Night With Seth Meyers

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=-H2jD_CdWcg&t=1s&ab_channel=LateNightwithSethMeyers

Has there been a more fitting occasion for Meyers’s “Closer Look” segment than this? Instead of making light remarks about the day’s happenings, the host delved into the irony of Musk jeopardizing his own wealth and reputation by allying with this administration, only for Trump to subsequently betray him by attempting to forcefully push a controversial bill filled with legislation that contradicts Musk’s political beliefs. “It’s plain as day that neither of these men truly stand for anything,” Meyers concluded at the end of the segment. “Musk invested almost $300 million in electing Republicans, and now he’s surprised they’re acting as expected. In a sense, they were right. Watching these two undermine each other is both grandiose and … striking.

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=QdDYpG-fols&ab_channel=JimmyKimmelLive

As a follower of Jimmy Kimmel, I was eagerly anticipating his monologue about the NBA finals and the new U.S. head of terror prevention, Thomas Fugate. However, he had to abruptly change course at the last minute to address the day’s breaking news instead. Don’t worry too much for him – he was thrilled about it! As he humorously put it, “It’s like waking up on Christmas morning and finding a second tree!”

In his Thursday night opening, Kimmel made light of President Trump’s recent misfortunes: “I feel sorry for Trump these days because he seems to be running out of friends: ‘First, he lost Jeffrey Epstein, now Elon.'” He went on to discuss the aftermath of this public falling-out, referencing Steve Bannon’s suggestion that Musk should be deported and the unexpected intervention from an unassuming mediator: “Even Kanye West took a break from designing his new line of summer swastikas to say, ‘Bros, please no. We love you both so much,'” Kimmel joked. “That’s when you know things are really out of hand – when the guy trying to bring everyone together is Kanye!

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2025-06-06 20:55