Jimmy Fallon has increasingly incorporated jokes about President Donald Trump into his monologues, a shift from his previous stance of political neutrality. In recent episodes, Fallon has mocked Trump's attempts at diplomacy, his health, and his interactions with foreign leaders.
During a recent broadcast, Fallon referenced reports of a potential meeting between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, quipping that the situation resembled a "depressed" person texting an old acquaintance. He also impersonated Trump, with lines like, "Do you want to hang out?" When a clip of Trump and Kim's 2019 meeting at the Korean Demilitarized Zone was shown, Fallon commented on the leaders' physical appearance, comparing their "bellies bump" to expectant mothers in Lamaze class.
Fallon also targeted Trump's foreign policy efforts regarding Iran. A sketch depicted a caricature of Trump desperately trying to get the attention of Iranian leader Mojtaba Khamenei, asking if Iran knew he was present. This followed a previous sketch that mocked a security scare Trump experienced in Turkey last month, where a mock Trump was shown hidden in a catering truck.
Other recent jokes have included mocking Trump's search for a new press secretary, suggesting his doctor would be a suitable replacement for spinning facts. Fallon also joked about First Lady Melania Trump and Senator Mitch McConnell, referencing their recent lack of public appearances.
Fallon, who has hosted "The Tonight Show" since 2014, previously stated his intention to avoid overtly political satire. In an October interview, he said the show "never really been that political" and that his monologues follow a style similar to Johnny Carson's, aiming to make everyone laugh by "hitting both sides equally."