As the Emmys took center stage this past Sunday, late-night host Seth Meyers took aim at Donald Trump’s foreign policy on Late Night. The focus was on Trump’s approach to international leadership, particularly regarding his recent comments on Russia and NATO.
What Happened
On Monday night, Meyers highlighted the inconsistency in Trump’s foreign policy, pointing out the irony between the Trump administration’s previous criticism of Democrats for “leading from behind” and Trump’s own contradictory approach. While Trump had declared that the U.S. would “set the world’s agenda” and lead on global matters, he recently announced on Truth Social that he would only impose sanctions on Russia for violating Poland’s airspace—but only after all NATO nations had agreed to stop buying oil from Russia. This “quid pro quo” strategy was sharply criticized by Meyers, who humorously compared it to the behavior of eighth graders negotiating to smoke pot in a school parking lot: “I’ll do it first if you do it first. No way, man, you first!” Meyers quipped.
Meyers continued by mocking Trump’s inconsistent tone in his statements, especially when discussing Russia’s actions in Poland. While the situation—Russia’s drone incursion into NATO ally Poland’s airspace—was a serious concern, Trump downplayed it with an ambiguous response. “It could’ve been a mistake. But regardless, I’m not happy about anything having to do with that whole situation,” Trump had said, which Meyers found to be troubling.
Who Was Involved
Seth Meyers: The Late Night host and comedian, known for his sharp political commentary, has regularly criticized Trump’s leadership, especially his handling of international relations and his contradictory rhetoric.
Donald Trump: The former U.S. president, currently a minority candidate for the 2024 election, has faced criticism for his foreign policy decisions, particularly his relationship with Russia and NATO.
Public/Social Media Reactions
Fans of Late Night and critics of Trump on social media quickly took to platforms like Twitter, supporting Meyers’ take on Trump’s incoherent foreign policy. Many praised the comedian for his ability to dissect Trump’s rhetoric in a way that highlights the inconsistencies and weaknesses in his political approach. The meme-worthy comparison to eighth-grade behavior added humor to a serious critique, garnering positive reactions.
Official Statements or What Happens Next
Trump has not yet responded directly to Meyers’ comments, and as of now, his approach to the Russia-Poland situation remains largely undefined. The larger implications of his stance on NATO and global security remain unclear, as Trump has largely focused on domestic issues in his recent campaign statements.
Meyers concluded that diplomacy and de-escalation are important, but they cannot be effective without competence and leadership—qualities he believes Trump has yet to demonstrate on the international stage.
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
