Seth Meyers mocks Trump’s economic defensiveness in Thursday monologue

Seth Meyers used his Thursday 'Late Night' monologue to mock President Donald Trump for fuming over questions about the economic reality facing Americans in his second term, tying the president’s defensiveness to his recent public posture on health care costs and budgets. Meyers cited Trump’s reaction to a reporter’s question about tens of millions of Americans potentially facing higher health-care premiums next year, noting Trump’s reply: “Don’t make it sound so bad!” The host also referenced Trump advising Politico reporter Dasha Burns not to “be dramatic” when she asked him how families should plan their budgets for next year as they shop for gifts during the holidays.

Meyers tied the defensiveness to Trump’s Wednesday primetime address, describing it as “unhinged” and targeting a claim that drug costs are up to 600% lower than reality. The comedian pressed back on the numbers, saying, “600% would mean you’re paying people to take drugs, which, if it were real, would probably be the first popular thing you actually did.” He launched into a faux dialogue between two Americans, quipping, “This dude is nuts.” “Yeah, but at least they’re paying us to take Prozac so you know, c’est la vie!”

HuffPost, which covered the segment, said Meyers linked the president’s criticisms of reporters and the public’s budgeting anxieties to the broader political moment, including Trump’s remarks in the primetime address and the ongoing debate over health-care costs and inflation. The late-night host did not offer policy solutions but used satire to emphasize the disconnect between Trump’s messaging and the economic concerns he faces as his polling numbers waver. The monologue closed with a reminder to viewers that clips of the segment are available on the show’s platform and that Meyers would continue to address political topics through a comedy lens in upcoming episodes.