Politics and late-night television have met in interestingly complex ways over the years. Just like those other presidents, this platform could help him communicate with the public in a more impactful way. From Bill Clinton’s memorable saxophone performance on “The Arsenio Hall Show” in 1992 to Donald Trump‘s appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in 2016, these moments have shaped the political landscape in unique ways.
Clinton’s performance of “Heartbreak Hotel” was a display of his remarkable musical prowess. It contributed to the huge amounts of support that Black voters gave him during his presidential campaign. This performance was a watershed moment. One sitting president was able to do this successfully because he directly engaged with cultural touchstones, increasing his appeal among myriad demographics.
Just two months after that, Clinton’s genius moment on stage, Donald Trump shook things up again when he came to visit “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” During this appearance, Fallon playfully mussed Trump’s hair, an act that served to humanize the then-presidential candidate and soften his often polarizing image. Such grace was rare in a time when politicians were often laymen heroes or one-dimensional villains.
Ever since Trump announced his candidacy, Jimmy Kimmel has not held back on his strong criticism of Trump. He has zeroed in too on the dangers posed by the MAGA movement and its rhetoric. The Trump administration was allegedly behind the scenes pressuring ABC and their parent company, Disney. This was a concerted effort to try to rein in Kimmel’s criticism. This persistent conflict serves to illustrate just how quickly late-night television has transformed into a war zone for political dialogue.
In 2000, then-candidate George W. Bush actually made a cameo on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Even better, he got in on the fun himself, reading the show’s iconic top ten list. This occasion demonstrated the influential utility of late-night programming. Second, they provide candidates with a unique, vibrant, and fun opportunity to engage with and educate voters. These types of appearances have become an essential part of today’s campaigns, providing politicians a way to highlight their personalities away from the typical campaign trail.
In the past, late-night television acted as an outlet and extension of political discourse. Johnny Carson, who took over “The Tonight Show” in 1962, transformed it into a cultural institution that mined politics for nightly material. His often hilarious tirades against personages such as Richard Nixon helped drive Nixon’s approval ratings into the gutter during the early 1970s. This is a testament to the immense power of good satire to shape public perception and opinion.
Fourth, Steve Allen, the very first host of “The Tonight Show”—he’s not the guy you’re thinking of—established the example for political commentary in his opening monologues. He constantly lampooned people in power, setting a precedent for future hosts that would reverberate across the decades. Carson and Reagan’s close personal relationship helped cement this link. Reagan’s repeated appearances on the show overwhelmingly illustrated the influence of late night television as an emerging, potent platform for mass political engagement.
In 2009, Barack Obama became the first sitting president to ever appear on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno. He made history as the first sitting president to appear on a late-night show. This moment marked the beginning of a new wave for politicians in which they used the medium of television to directly speak to voters.
The landscape has been without its difficulties. In 2025, CBS suddenly pulled the plug on Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” The decision was made as criticism of Trump was reaching a crescendo. Colbert’s unrelenting critique of Trump exemplified how late-night hosts can influence political discourse while facing repercussions from network executives.
In fact, Trump himself has complained to the networks about the late-night comedians and their obvious bias against him. He stated, “When you go back and take a look, all they do is hit Trump,” reflecting his belief that these shows have become platforms for political attacks rather than balanced commentary.
He has directed scorn towards what he sees as unfairness in late-night comedy. “They’re not allowed to do that! They are an arm of the Democratic party,” he remarked, suggesting that he views these platforms as partisan tools rather than venues for diverse political opinions.