King Charles III's visit to the United States was meant to shore up relations between the United Kingdom and the United States. But after a closer look from Seth Meyers, the king dropped a not-so-subtle dig at President Donald Trump.
On the latest “A Closer Look” segment, Meyers recapped Trump’s long-running fascination with all things monarchy, arguing the president “desperately wants to be a king,” As proof, the Late Night host pointed to plans to add President Trump's image to U.S. passports.
According to Meyers, that made Trump’s last visit to the United Kingdom feel like it should have been a crowning moment. Instead, it turned into a spectacle, complete with massive protests against President Trump.
So maybe there was a chance for redemption when King Charles came to visit. Not so much, says Meyers. "A Closer Look" highlighted Charles' comments regarding President Trump's destruction of the East Wing of the White House to make way for his lavish ballroom.
During a speech, Charles quipped that he “could not help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing,” before joking that the British had once attempted their own “real estate redevelopment” of the White House in 1814, a nod to the Burning of Washington.
Meyers framed the moment as a rare instance of a monarch landing a late-night-style punchline. He even imagined Trump’s reaction, slipping into a mock impression to suggest the former president didn’t quite get the joke.
According to Meyers, the timing of Charles’ jab makes it even more cutting. Republicans have rallied behind the ballroom idea in the wake of the White House Correspondents' Dinner incident. Meyers argued it highlights what he sees as a disconnect between political priorities and everyday concerns.
“You forget that the American people elected Donald Trump to do three things—build a golden ballroom, put his face on passports, and get [bleep] on by a royal horse,” Meyers joked, summarizing what he portrayed as the administration’s misplaced focus.
The Late Night host then pivoted to more serious economic concerns, noting rising gas prices and polling that shows many Americans feel their financial situation is worsening. Against that set up, Meyers questioned the emphasis on a lavish White House ballroom that would be inaccessible to most Americans. The bit suggested President Trump's vanity project maybe isn't all that different from an opposing arm trying to burn down the White House.
Meyers compared the golden ballroom to something out of Willy Wonka, joking that the only way ordinary people might ever see it is by finding a “golden ticket” hidden inside a Trump-branded passport.
"A Closer Look" probably nailed it on the head when the segment suggested the king's joke went right over President Trump's head. So if he really wants to be considered a king, he'll have to improve his royal sense of humor. In the meantime, Seth Meyers may have a newfound respect for Charles.
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