Concerns have been raised by Americans following President Donald Trump’s harsh criticism of Seth Meyers, where he implied that being ‘anti-Trump’ might be considered ‘illegal’.
The President shared that he tuned into NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers on Thursday night (October 30) and was not pleased with what he saw.
In the ‘A Closer Look’ segment, 51-year-old comedian Meyers mocked the 79-year-old president’s recent tour of Asia, including visits to China, Japan, and South Korea to discuss business, as well as his appearance with the crew of the USS George Washington.
While addressing troops aboard the aircraft carrier stationed in Japan, Trump criticized the electric catapult systems on military ships, prompting Meyers to poke fun at him after viewing the footage.
“Aircraft carriers use catapults to help aircraft achieve takeoff speed quickly, because they have such a short distance to accelerate,” Meyers explained during the show.
“For decades, aircraft catapults used steam, which was costly and labor intensive. But then the Navy upgraded to an electromagnetic launching system that no longer requires the elaborate system of steam piping necessary to power our catapults. The electromagnetic launching system also allows for smoother and more gradual acceleration.
“But Trump doesn’t like that because he thinks, I don’t know, electricity votes for Democrats or something, and he likes seeing the steam clouds from when the old catapults launched.”
He continued: “Experts say it would cost billions to go back to the old system, but Trump thinks he knows more about aviation than everyone else because he dances like one of those guys that holds the signaling sticks on the runway.”
This commentary was enough to anger the president, who has previously expressed his disdain for Meyers.
After watching the show, Trump took to Truth Social to express his feelings: “Seth Meyers of NBC may be the least talented person to ‘perform’ live in the history of television. In fact, he may be the WORST to perform, live or otherwise.
“I watched his show the other night for the first time in years. In it he talked endlessly about electric catapults on aircraft carriers which I complain about as not being as good as much less expensive steam catapults.
“On and on he went, a truly deranged lunatic. Why does NBC waste its time and money on a guy like this??? – NO TALENT, NO RATINGS, 100% ANTI TRUMP, WHICH IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL!!!”
With Trump’s suggestion that criticizing the president could be illegal, many online users voiced their concern.
“Still struggling with the first amendment I see,” one user commented.
Another remarked, “You can’t go against a dictator. It is 100% illegal.”
Meanwhile, another user retorted: “These ridiculous rants @POTUS are all the same; just disparaging and insulting. HE IS THE KING OF SLIME.”