The Democrats' sweeping victory in the US midterm elections, giving them control of both the Senate and the House, was met with mockery from late-night talk-show hosts who roasted President Donald Trump over the result.
Kimmel likened the Republican losses to a "Red Wedding" from Game of Thrones and described the overall result as a "blue tsunami". He said Trump was a "lame duck and an orange chicken at the same time" and listed issues Americans care about, including "corruption, inflation, climate change, war, wealth disparity, healthcare, housing, measles and democracy itself".
Fallon used edited clips from Trump rallies as punchlines, showing a version of Trump saying "I've done a shitty job as president". He also acknowledged the historic firsts on election night: the first openly gay male senator, the first Muslim senator, the first Native American female state governor and senator, and the first black female governor.
Meyers called the result a “blue Sharknado”, saying “everybody agreed what colour it was, even Donald Trump”. He said he had been prepared to say the Democrats did not live up to expectations, but added, “last night it was potatoes for everybody”.
Trump has previously called for Kimmel's show to be cancelled and has described Stephen Colbert as having “no talent, no ratings, no life”. Colbert, whose show ended in May, celebrated the Democrats' win in his childhood home state of South Carolina, where they elected Democrat Annie Andrews to the Senate.
The Daily Show reacted on social media, congratulating Trump on a "successful regime change" and quipping that he would commemorate his losses by putting his name on a Confederate monument.
Celebrities also responded. Actor John Leguizamo called the results "redemption time", Mark Ruffalo thanked Americans for voting "for decency, fairness, equality, justice", Bette Midler said she was overjoyed, and author Stephen King wrote "Buyers' remorse".
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Democratic control of Congress will constrain Trump's final two years, limiting his ability to advance his agenda.
- The late-night reaction reflects a broader cultural and political mood after the election, which was widely seen as a rejection of Trump's leadership.
- The historic diversity of the newly elected officials signals a shift in representation at the federal level.
Background
The US midterm elections delivered a clean sweep for Democrats, who won control of both the Senate and the House. Key battleground states and even traditionally Republican states such as Texas and Kansas flipped. The results were seen as a rebuke to President Trump, who has been a frequent critic of late-night talk-show hosts, calling for their cancellation on Truth Social.
Key Perspectives
Jimmy Kimmel: Called the result a "blue tsunami" and said "the Red Wedding begins". He described Trump as "a lame duck and an orange chicken at the same time".
Jimmy Fallon: Used an edited Trump clip to have the president say "I've done a shitty job as president" and highlighted historic firsts from the election.
Seth Meyers: Called the result a "blue Sharknado", saying everyone agreed what colour it was.
The Daily Show: Congratulated Trump on a "successful regime change" and joked about Confederate monuments.
Mark Ruffalo: Thanked Americans for voting "for decency, fairness, equality, justice and against the flagrant corruption in our political system".
Bette Midler: Said she was "overjoyed" and added "Thank you, America! You've saved your beloved country!!"
John Cusack: Said "Impeachment and removal is non-negotiable, no accountability means it will happen again and again".
Stephen King: Wrote "Buyers' remorse".
What to Watch
- Whether Trump will follow through on threats to target late-night shows or seek retribution against Democratic lawmakers.
- The potential for impeachment proceedings, as suggested by some Democratic activists and figures.
- How the Republican Party responds internally to the electoral wipeout, including possible leadership challenges or strategic shifts.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
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- SupportedLate-night hosts roasted Trump after Democrats swept the US midterms.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Democrats’ sweeping victory in the US midterm elections may have dealt a blow to President Donald Trump ahead of his final two years in the White House but it has proven a boon for late-night talk-show gags.”
- SupportedKimmel, Fallon and Meyers led the mockery as Democrats won control of both the Senate and the House.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers celebrated the Democrats winning control over the Senate and the House by poking fun at their current president”
- SupportedKimmel likened the Republican losses to a “Red Wedding” from Game of Thrones.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““The Blue Wave made landfall and now the Red Wedding begins,” said the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host, referencing a famous scene from Game of Thrones that depicts the massacre of several of the show’s major characters.”
- SupportedKimmel described Trump as “a lame duck and an orange chicken at the same time”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Overall, Kimmel described Trump as “a lame duck and an orange chicken at the same time”.”
- SupportedFallon used edited clips from Trump rallies, including one in which Trump says, “I’ve done a shitty job as president”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Fallon opened his show with a fairly gentle monologue, highlighting the win and using edited clips from Trump rallies as punchlines. Did the elections go well, Fallon asked. “Not even a little bit,” replied Trump. So, what message did voters send, Fallon continued. “I’ve done a shitty job as president,” the edited Trump said in response.”
- SupportedFallon acknowledged the first openly gay male senator, the first Muslim senator, the first Native American female state governor and senator, and the first black female governor.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “the first openly gay male senator, the first Muslim senator, the first Native American female state governor and senator, and the first black female governor.”
- SupportedMeyers called the result a “blue Sharknado”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““It was a blue Sharknado,” declared Seth Meyers on Late Night”
- SupportedMeyers said, “last night it was potatoes for everybody”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Last night it was potatoes for everybody.””
- SupportedTrump has called for Kimmel’s show to be cancelled multiple times.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The president has repeatedly called Kimmel a “loser” on his platform Truth Social, and called for Jimmy Kimmel Live! to be cancelled multiple times.”
- SupportedTrump described Colbert as having “no talent, no ratings, no life”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “the latter of whom he has described as having “no talent, no ratings, no life”.”
- Not in the sourcesBette Midler said she was “overjoyed”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Bette Midler, another vocal opponent of Trump, said on Instagram she was overjoyed.”