Much has been said lately about the state of late-night TV and whether it can sustain viewership. But it appears that the White House is doing its part to keep late-night ratings up. The Trump administration's response to The Daily Show proves just how much space the genre takes up in the White House.
Earlier this week, Shrinking star Jessica Williams returned to The Daily Show to share her conspiracy theory involving President Donald Trump and Jefferey Epstein. Williams claimed Trump is attacking prominent Black people in an effort to distract from questions about his relationship with Epstein. The Daily Show correspondent joked that she may be next, considering she's an Emmy-nominated actress.
But rather than let Williams' commentary pass as just another clip of late-night TV mocking the president, the White House chose to bring more attention to The Daily Show by issuing a response.
“Given that I had to Google who this person is, it’s no surprise she’d resort to outrageous commentary to insert herself into the news, as many irrelevant D-list celebrities do,” said Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields to The Independent.
“She may oppose tax cuts, a secure border, trade deals, ceasefires, and record job growth, but a majority of Americans voted for these policies and support this President, regardless of what out-of-touch, spotlight-seeking individuals say,” Fields commented.
Jessica Williams may not be a household name like late-night stars such as Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, but calling her "D-list" is a stretch. As Williams mentioned, she has an Emmy nomination for Shrinking. She also co-hosted the popular and influential podcast 2 Dope Queens, and she has a supporting role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
Defending Williams' resume isn't the point here, though. Instead, it's the fact that Donald Trump and his administration can't help themselves when it comes to late-night TV. Trump spent his first term in office engaging in a war of words with Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Saturday Night Live, and anyone else who mocked him.
The second time around, Trump's skin seems to be even thinner. In just the past month, he's called Jimmy Fallon a "moron," suggested ABC will soon cancel Jimmy Kimmel, and celebrated the demise of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Trump's supporters are happy to see him fight back, but the logic behind the strategy is questionable. The president is far outnumbered by late-night TV hosts and their writing staffs. And if the genre really is dying with no viewership, why does the Trump White House feel so compelled to respond to so much of what's happening in late-night TV?
Late-night TV also won't let President Trump or anyone speaking on his behalf have the last word. The Daily Show is sure to follow this up, just as Stephen Colbert did when Trump celebrated the end of The Late Show. It certainly helps late-night to have the White House's attention, something the administration appears happy to oblige.