David Letterman On Comedy’s Role in Trump’s America and Much More

at
Share This Post

Since legendary Late Show host David Letterman retired two years ago, we’ve gotten to know a new side of him. He’s grown a Father Time-like beard, he’s shown that he can day drink with the best of them, he’s been revealed to be a severe hypochondriac (allegedly) and  environmental advocate, and he’s managed to become even more political than he already was. Now, he’s emerged from his Batcave once again for an all-encompassing cover story with New York Magazine.

In the sprawling interview, Letterman touches on everything from his opinions on Donald Trump and his cabinet to his Late Show history and the importance of comedy in today’s political climate. Below are some highlights; You can (and should) check out the full story over at Vulture.

It’s no secret that Letterman isn’t President Trump’s biggest fan; His opinion of the NYC mogul has transformed over the years from a mostly-harmless, comically wealthy guy to something much more sinister.

“I always regarded him as, if you’re going to have New York City, you gotta have a Donald Trump. He was a joke of a wealthy guy,” Letterman told NYM’s David Marchese. “He’d sit down, and I would just start making fun of him. He never had any retort. He was big and doughy, and you could beat him up. He seemed to have a good time, and the audience loved it, and that was Donald Trump.”

Of course, Trump and his ambitions have changed quite a bit since those interviews some 10-20+ years ago, and now Letterman feels that the comedy community has some work to do to help keep him in check.

“Comedy’s one of the ways that we can protect ourselves. The man has such thin skin that if  you keep pressure on him—I remember there was a baseball game in Cleveland, and a swarm of flies came on the field and the batters were doing this [mimes swatting at flies] while the  pitcher was throwing 100 miles an hour. Well, that’s Alec Baldwin and Saturday Night Live. It’s         distracting the batter. Eventually Trump’s going to take a fastball off the sternum and have to leave the game.”

When asked how he spends his time now that his illustrious 33-year career has come to a close, Letterman admitted that “I don’t watch any of it (late night TV). I don’t watch my old show. I will see clips now and stuff.” It appears the former late night host has had more than his fill of late night, and now dedicates himself to his hobbies and his family. “A regular day is structured around my wife and son. I am secondary to their schedule… But mostly I sit on the edge of the bed and stare at the floor.”

Now that sounds like a fulfilling retirement.

Read more comedy news.

The following two tabs change content below.

Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.
Bill Tressler

Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.