Additional Coverage:
During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to the White House, President Donald Trump lavished the Chinese leader with effusive praise, but late-night host Seth Meyers wasn’t convinced by the display. On a recent episode of Late Night with Seth Meyers’ “A Closer Look” segment, Meyers poked fun at Trump’s almost gushy compliments, suggesting the president seemed more interested in cozying up to Xi than tackling serious diplomatic matters.
“Trump doesn’t care about the issues or the details of the meetings. All he cares about is being best buds with Xi,” Meyers quipped.
The comedian aired clips of Trump repeatedly calling Xi “brilliant,” “strong,” and “a great gentleman,” even going so far as to comment on Xi’s height and stature. Meyers likened Trump’s admiration to that of “a Long Island mom trying to set her adult daughter up on a date,” adding a humorous touch to his critique.
Meyers also highlighted the irony of Trump’s warm welcome, recalling how he previously slammed former President Barack Obama’s reception of Xi in 2012 as over the top. Trump’s current glowing treatment of Xi, Meyers suggested, made for prime comedic material.
Despite the summit covering critical topics like trade, Taiwan, and artificial intelligence, Trump’s vague remarks about the discussions left Meyers questioning whether the president was prioritizing friendship over substance. For Meyers, Trump’s constant flattery provided ample fodder for a sharp late-night roast.