Seth Meyers Slams Trump Over Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Ads 2026

Seth Meyers took direct aim at Donald Trump for making US taxpayers foot the bill for recycled campaign ads, calling the move a new low even by Trump standards. The Late Night host’s monologue highlighted Trump’s insistence on public funding for political messaging, while also skewering GOP midterm candidates who are now scrambling to distance themselves from the former president.

Seth Meyers on Trump’s Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Ads

During Thursday’s episode of Late Night, Meyers noted growing Republican dissent over Trump’s unpopular war with Iran. With midterms approaching, several GOP candidates—including Ken Paxton in Texas and Ashley Hinson in Iowa—have aired ads calling the war a mistake, though none directly name Trump. Meyers mocked the contradiction: “I’m sorry, you both supported the war, and now you want it to end? Who is that campaign ad for – you?”

He added, “Also by the way, very cool and not at all cowardly to call for an end to the war while not naming the president who started it.” The host then pivoted to Trump’s demand that taxpayers cover the cost of recycled campaign ads, asking, “Is there anything this grub won’t make us pay for?”

GOP Midterm Candidates Distance Themselves from Trump

Trump’s endorsement of Paxton came with bizarre caveats. As Meyers quoted Trump: “He may not dress right, he may not talk exactly perfectly, and he may not be the best-looking guy I’ve ever seen.” Meyers joked, “How would you like to have Trump as your wingman?”

The late-night host also highlighted Trump’s Oval Office comment about Iran: “maybe I help them, or maybe I blow them up.” This rhetoric has left competitive GOP candidates in a tough spot, forced to balance base loyalty with general-election appeal.

Key Takeaways from Late-Night Coverage

• Taxpayer-funded ads: Trump wants public money for recycled campaign spots, sparking outrage.
• GOP divide: Candidates like Paxton and Hinson are running anti-war ads without naming Trump.
• Meyers’ mockery: The host called out the cowardice of ambiguous campaign messaging.
• Public reaction: The monologue went viral, amplifying criticism of Trump’s spending demands.

Comparing Late-Night Hosts’ Trump Criticism

Meyers wasn’t alone. Other late-night hosts also dug into Trump’s unpopularity and his demand for taxpayer-funded ads. Here’s how their critiques compare:

Why Taxpayer-Funded Campaign Ads Spark Outrage

Using public funds for political ads is highly controversial. Critics argue it forces Americans to subsidize messages they may disagree with, while supporters claim it levels the playing field. In Trump’s case, the recycled nature of the ads adds insult to injury—taxpayers would be paying for content already used during his previous campaigns.

Meyers’ segment resonated because it tapped into a broader frustration: the feeling that Trump continually finds new ways to make the public pay for his personal and political ambitions.

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