Seth Meyers Blasts Trump and Vance's Fake Folksy Act 2026

Seth Meyers took aim at Donald Trump and JD Vance for their fake folksy bullshit, arguing that no one is buying their attempts to appeal to working-class voters. On Late Night, Meyers said Republicans have been “cosplaying as regular, everyday folks” for a while, and the act is wearing thin.

The segment comes as the GOP ramps up its working-class rhetoric ahead of the 2024 election, but Meyers argued that the performances are transparently hollow. He pointed to Trump’s recent stint at a McDonald’s and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s claim to be a soybean farmer as evidence of the charade.

Meyers: GOP’s Working-Class Cosplay Is ‘Such Obvious Bullshit’

Meyers dedicated a portion of his monologue to mocking the Republican Party’s attempts to portray itself as the party of the working class. He showed clips of Trump working the fry station at a McDonald’s and Bessent claiming to be a soybean farmer, calling it “rightwing fan fiction” that Trump is a “true man of the people.”

“No one’s buying your fake folksy bullshit,” Meyers said, summing up the sentiment. The host argued that these stunts are transparently staged and insulting to voters’ intelligence.

The late-night host also highlighted the contrast between the GOP’s working-class rhetoric and its actual policies, which overwhelmingly favor the wealthy. This disconnect, Meyers suggested, is why the act isn’t landing.

Obama’s Cheesecake Factory Joke Sparks Right-Wing Outrage

The segment also covered the right’s reaction to Barack Obama’s joke comparing Trump’s White House to Saddam Hussein decorating a Cheesecake Factory. Meyers noted that conservatives were less bothered by the comparison to a “violent oppressive dictator” and more upset about the perceived slight to the restaurant chain.

They even organized an unsuccessful press opportunity outside a Cheesecake Factory that Bessent was visiting, which Meyers mocked. Obama responded with more jabs, leading Meyers to declare that “standup comedy Obama is back” and joke that his next special will be called Hussein in the Membrane.

Meyers also quipped that Rudy Giuliani “missed it because he showed up at the Cheesecake Factory Total Landscaping” — a reference to the infamous 2020 press conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping.

JD Vance’s Awkward Attempt to Connect with Voters

Meyers also skewered JD Vance for claiming at a rally that he can’t pronounce the names of Middle Eastern countries when talking to audience members. The host played a clip of Vance’s remark, which seemed designed to portray him as a regular guy but came off as forced.

“No one’s buying your fake folksy bullshit,” Meyers repeated, emphasizing that voters can see through such pandering. The host argued that Vance’s attempt to dumb himself down is both condescending and ineffective.

This isn’t the first time Meyers has called out the GOP’s working-class posturing. He has consistently criticized Trump and his allies for pretending to be champions of the working class while pushing policies that benefit the rich.

Why the Fake Folksy Act Matters

The Republican Party’s attempt to rebrand itself as the party of the working class is a central strategy for the 2024 election. But as Meyers points out, the act is transparently fake and voters are noticing.

Trump’s McDonald’s stunt and Vance’s pronunciation claims are part of a broader effort to connect with voters who feel left behind by the economy. However, these gestures often come across as insulting rather than genuine.

Meyers’s criticism highlights a key vulnerability for the GOP: the gap between their rhetoric and their policies. If voters see through the charade, it could hurt Republicans at the ballot box.

• Meyers accused Trump and Vance of “cosplaying” as working-class Americans.
• He cited Trump’s McDonald’s visit and Bessent’s soybean farmer claim as examples.
• Obama’s Cheesecake Factory joke sparked outrage from conservatives.
• Vance claimed he can’t pronounce Middle Eastern country names at rallies.
• Meyers argued that voters aren’t buying the fake folksy act.

How Late-Night Comedy Shapes Political Narratives

Late-night hosts like Seth Meyers have become key voices in shaping political narratives, often blending comedy with sharp analysis. Meyers’s segment on Trump and Vance is a prime example of how comedy can highlight political hypocrisy.

By calling out the fake folksy act, Meyers is tapping into a broader frustration among voters who are tired of being pandered to. This kind of commentary can influence public perception and even impact voter turnout.

As the election approaches, expect late-night hosts to continue playing a role in holding politicians accountable — and in calling out BS when they see it.

Meyers’s monologue is part of a long tradition of late-night comedy taking on political hypocrisy. It remains to be seen whether the GOP’s folksy act will continue or if they’ll pivot to a new strategy.

For now, Meyers and other hosts are sure to keep the pressure on. As Meyers put it, “No one’s buying your fake folksy bullshit” — and that’s a message that resonates with many voters.

Meyers’s segment is a reminder that in politics, authenticity matters. Voters can spot a fake, and as Meyers made clear, they’re not impressed. For more on how late-night hosts are covering the 2024 race, see our coverage of Seth Meyers mocking Trump’s incoherent Iran statements and Seth Meyers roasting Trump’s presidency as the economy tumbles.

The GOP’s folksy act is just the latest example of politicians trying to connect with voters through stunts. But as Meyers and others have pointed out, these tactics often backfire. For a deeper look at how late-night comedy is shaping the political conversation, check out our analysis of Seth Meyers slamming Trump’s presidency as the economy tumbles and Seth Meyers slamming Trump’s unpopularity and approval rating.

As the election heats up, expect more late-night takedowns of political pandering. Meyers’s monologue is a prime example of how comedy can hold politicians accountable. For more, read about Seth Meyers joking that Trump didn’t write ‘incalculable’ wildfire and Seth Meyers roasting Trump after World Cup booing.

Ultimately, Meyers’s message is clear: voters want authenticity, not a performance. Politicians who try to fake it will be called out — and late-night hosts will be there to make sure of it. For more on Meyers’s critiques, see Seth Meyers roasting Trump’s $1bn federal funds cancellation and Seth Meyers mocking Trump’s lavish praise of Xi Jinping.