During a Monday night appearance on Late Night, host Seth Meyers swiftly pushed back when actor Ethan Hawke made an Ethan Hawke Trump joke by linking his character The Grabber in Black Phone to President Donald Trump. The exchange highlighted the tension as Meyers expressed reluctance to face more trouble involving the former president.
Hawke visited the show to promote his latest movie, Blue Moon, but the focus shifted briefly to his spooky role as The Grabber. This character, a masked serial killer targeting children, has become notably frightening and memorable. Hawke humorously suggested a link between his character and Trump, referencing a controversial tape involving the president.
Humorous Exchange Over a Controversial Character
“At first I thought it was Donald Trump,”
Hawke quipped, referring to the president’s infamous remarks about grabbing women. This comment bore added weight given that, in 2023, Trump was found liable by a jury for sexual battery and defamation against E. Jean Carroll, confirming allegations of sexual assault and subsequent defamation.
Meyers responded with a mix of laughter and caution: “Oh boy, oh boy,” followed by,
“I don’t need to be in more trouble than I already am.”
Hawke quickly apologized on air, saying,
“All right, all right, sorry, sorry, sorry,”
keeping the moment light despite the underlying tensions.
Context of Tensions Between Trump and Late Night Hosts
Meyers is no stranger to targeting by Trump, joining other late-night figures such as Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon in the former president’s public criticisms. After Kimmel’s surprising suspension last month, Trump urged NBC to cancel both Meyers and Fallon. Earlier this year, Trump launched a lengthy online tirade against Late Night, to which Meyers replied simply,
“I hope you get a TV soon that allows you to change the channel.”
This ongoing dynamic underscores a strained relationship between Trump and late-night comedians who often satirize him, making Hawke’s offhand joke a risky but topical moment on national television.
Implications for Late Night Comedy and Public Discourse
The brief but pointed dialogue between Meyers and Hawke illustrates how political and cultural tensions permeate entertainment, especially when figures like Trump remain influential and controversial. As late-night hosts continue to critique Trump and his actions, these exchanges maintain relevance for public conversations about accountability and media freedom.
Viewers interested in the full discussion can watch the complete conversation between Seth Meyers and Ethan Hawke on Late Night.
