On Monday’s episode of Late Night, Seth Meyers opened with a serious monologue, addressing the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Meyers condemned political violence unequivocally, calling it “morally wrong” and “a poison to democracy.” He emphasized the need for collective condemnation and active efforts to prevent such violence, stressing the moral responsibility to reject it in all forms.
Meyers reflected on how the preparation for this episode reminded him of crafting the show’s response to the January 6 insurrection. He reiterated the fragile and precious nature of democracy, which demands vigilance, stewardship, and protection. Meyers highlighted the importance of recommitting to these democratic principles, especially in light of the recent violent events at a Trump rally.
Continuing his monologue, Meyers encouraged his audience not to fall into despair despite witnessing numerous instances of political violence over the past decade. He recounted various shocking events, including the Charlottesville incident, the January 6 attack, the assault on Nancy Pelosi’s spouse, the congressional baseball practice shooting, and the kidnapping plot against the Michigan governor.
The assassination attempt on Trump, while sparing him, resulted in the death of a spectator and injuries to two others, underscoring the pervasive issue of gun violence in America.
Meyers decried the normalization of gun violence in various public spaces such as schools, shopping malls, and political rallies. He stressed the urgent need for change, asserting that there are too many easily accessible guns, which must be addressed to combat this everyday violence. He called for a concerted effort to change gun policies and protect vulnerable spaces from such threats.
Concluding his somber segment, Meyers called for a renewed commitment to safeguarding democracy. He emphasized that democracy requires active participation and cannot function on autopilot. He highlighted the success of previous generations in overcoming political violence and preserving democratic values, urging the current generation to continue this legacy.
Meyers stressed the importance of political engagement, articulation of ideas, and community organization as the real work of democracy, before transitioning back to his usual comedic commentary on other news topics, including Trump’s running mate choice and the dismissal of the case against him for allegedly taking classified documents.
