During the season 51 premiere, Donald Trump warned the show’s cast to avoid making mean jokes, hinting there could be consequences if they don’t comply.
Trump’s Warning to the Cast
Trump interrupted a segment where Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth outlined new military rules. Hegseth humorously stated, “No fatties, no facial hair, no body hair,” indicating an absurd standard for military appearances.
Trump quipped that late-night TV is the real threat to democracy, alluding to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s pressure on ABC concerning comments made by Jimmy Kimmel about a conservative commentator.
Comedy and Controversy
Trump made jokes about the show’s format, stating one cast member should be performing at a comedy festival in Riyadh instead. He also commented on comedians like Bill Burr and Dave Chappelle facing backlash for accepting money to perform in countries with poor human rights records.
He addressed accusations surrounding a 2003 birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein, which he denied writing, stating, “That was a quote from a poem I wrote to a horrible man I’ve never met before.”
Trump’s Summer and Future Remarks
Trump concluded by sharing his summer activities, which included golf and travel. He humorously remarked on not knowing if he was joking about a possible stroke.
He commented on ongoing wars, adding, “I ended every war, except the two main ones,” hinting at a possible new conflict in Venezuela funded by his “scams.”
