Late-night television hosts on Tuesday and Wednesday offered sharp commentary on the Trump administration's relationship with technology executives, a newly redesigned federal website powered by artificial intelligence, and the president's tendency to fall asleep during public appearances.
What did Seth Meyers focus on?
On NBC, Meyers opened his monologue by critiquing the president's awkwardly phrased remarks about declining murder rates. When Trump stated, "We have the best, uh, murder," Meyers seized on the grammatical stumble.
"What are you talking about, 'We have the best murder'? It's a murder rate, not a murder rating."
Meyers then turned to a diplomatic confusion involving David Perdue, the US ambassador to China. After Perdue claimed he had traveled to China, Trump disputed the characterization, suggesting instead that Perdue had visited Taiwan.
"So wait, are you saying that we have an ambassador to China who doesn't know the difference between China and Taiwan? That's like if Mr Met showed up to the stadium wearing a Yankees jersey."
The host also addressed Florida's health crisis. State officials declared a local emergency following a dengue fever outbreak in the region. Meyers joked about the timing of the outbreak, drawing a comparison to a television drama about epidemics.
Meyers criticized the White House's response to recent public service announcements. According to the host's account, administration officials defended the spots as messages "reminding Americans to love their country."
"The clearest sign of a healthy relationship is if you have to remind someone to love you,"Meyers quipped.
How did Meyers respond to the federal funding announcement?
Trump told congressional leaders on Friday that he was canceling more than $810 million in federal funding. According to reporting on the administration's spending freeze, the White House memo indicated that $567 million of that total was designated for programs serving refugees, asylees and other non-citizens. Meyers responded with sarcasm about the president's intentions for the National Mall.
"Oh God, what's he doing to the reflecting pool now? Is he adding a waterslide?"
The funding maneuver, known as a "pocket rescission," has drawn legal scrutiny. The Government Accountability Office determined that Trump cannot withhold more than $800 million past the end of the fiscal year; the funds must be made available unless Congress acts on the rescission request. Under the Impoundment Control Act, the administration may withhold funds for 45 days while Congress considers a rescission request; if Congress does not act within that period, the funds must be released.
Meyers closed his monologue with news that manufacturers of a smart glasses brand had recalled frames after customers reported them overheating and causing burns.
"Well, I hate to break it to you, but no matter what smart glasses you're wearing, you're gonna get burned."
What was Jimmy Kimmel's take on the tech summit?
On his late-night program, Kimmel discussed Trump's hosting of major technology executives at the White House for lunch on Tuesday. The gathering brought together leaders from several prominent AI companies and included House Speaker Mike Johnson, whom Kimmel joked was present to inquire whether artificial intelligence could transform him into a real boy.
During a press conference, Trump announced that he was "changing the name" of artificial intelligence to "superintelligence," claiming that "so far, everybody likes it." Kimmel responded with skepticism about the rebrand's reception.
"Yes, I'm sure the guy whose company's name is OpenAI is very excited about this development."According to reporting on the terminology shift, Trump directed executive-branch agencies to use "super intelligence" instead of "artificial intelligence" in official communications and documents.
Kimmel expressed concern about the administration's approach to AI oversight.
"The idea that our guardrails against AI are being erected by an addled 80-year-old man … It's like asking your grandpa to set up a wifi router in your house. You just wouldn't do it."However, Trump and the AI executives announced a voluntary accord on AI safety, including commitments to use independent auditors and prevent AI tools from accessing technical systems in unintended ways. House Speaker Mike Johnson described the accord as voluntary, and Trump said the industry would be "self-policing."
What did Kimmel say about the new federal website?
The host moved on to discuss the White House's newly redesigned America.gov website, which incorporates artificial intelligence technology. According to Kimmel, a White House official characterized the site as "a new front door for the federal government."
"You know, we need a new front door because Trump demolished the old front door to build his golf course,"Kimmel said.
Did the hosts address Trump falling asleep?
Kimmel highlighted Trump's continued criticism of his predecessor, with the president again branding former president Joe Biden as "sleepy" during Oval Office remarks this week. The irony, Kimmel noted, was that Trump fell asleep shortly after making those comments.
"Only a few minutes after invoking the name 'sleepy Joe Biden', nappy Don Trump drifted off to dreamland on live TV,"Kimmel said.
What other events did the hosts cover?
The week also featured the second annual Maha summit in Washington DC, an event attended by Vice President JD Vance, Robert F Kennedy Jr and Mike Tyson. Kimmel offered commentary on the attendee list.
"You know we're screwed when the sanest person in the group has half a face tattoo,"he said.
What happens next with the federal funding?
The federal fiscal year ended on Wednesday, September 30, 2026. The Government Accountability Office has stated that the withheld funds must be made available unless Congress completes action on a bill approving the rescission. The 45-day window for Congress to consider the rescission request began when Trump announced the funding freeze, meaning lawmakers have until mid-November 2026 to act on the administration's proposal.
