It’s a challenge that Mr. Meyers and his late-night colleagues will continue to confront throughout the Trump presidency. Over a haphazard and unpredictable presidential campaign that Mr. Trump dominated, they served a steady diet of acidic commentary on his candidacy; hosts like Samantha Bee, Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah and John Oliver made their opposition to him an intrinsic part of their shows. (An exception was Jimmy Fallon at NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” who was widely criticized in September for an interview with Mr. Trump that was perceived as too cozy.)
While no amount of jokes or sketches was able to prevent Mr. Trump from winning the election, these programs have galvanized viewers who crave the satirical dissent that Mr. Meyers provides. Nearly three years into his tenure at “Late Night,” he has found his voice, and with it, greater resonance.
