Bad News for ‘Trump-Adjacent Weirdos’ Delights Seth Meyer
Late-night talk show host Seth Meyers has been making headlines recently for his reactions to the latest news coming out of the Trump camp. In particular, Meyers has been delighted by the recent legal troubles facing some of the former president’s closest allies. From Rudy Giuliani’s suspension from practicing law to Mike Lindell’s defamation lawsuit, Meyers has been reveling in the bad news for these “Trump-adjacent weirdos.”
The Joy of Schadenfreude
Schadenfreude is a German word that means taking pleasure in the misfortune of others. While it may not be the most noble emotion, it is one that many people experience from time to time. And when it comes to the downfall of some of Trump’s most ardent supporters, it seems that Meyers is not alone in feeling a sense of satisfaction.
According to a recent article in the New York Times, Meyers has been “gleefully” mocking Giuliani and Lindell on his show. The article notes that Meyers has been particularly amused by Lindell’s recent legal troubles. During a recent episode of his show, Meyers played a clip of Lindell receiving news on camera that he was being sued for defamation over his claims of election fraud. Meyers couldn’t contain his laughter as Lindell stumbled over his words and tried to process the news.
Of course, Meyers isn’t the only one who finds joy in the misfortunes of others. A quick glance at social media shows that many people are reveling in the downfall of Giuliani and Lindell. A Reddit thread about the New York Times article on Meyers’ delight in bad news for Trump supporters is filled with comments from people who are happy to see these figures facing consequences for their actions.
The Consequences of Spreading Falsehoods
While it may be satisfying to see Trump’s allies facing legal troubles, it’s important to remember that their actions have real-world consequences. Giuliani and Lindell, in particular, have been instrumental in spreading false claims about the 2020 election. These claims have not only undermined faith in the democratic process but have also led to real-world violence.
As Meyers himself noted in a recent segment on Giuliani’s suspension, the former mayor’s actions have had serious consequences. “Giuliani’s lies about the election helped incite the insurrection on January 6th,” Meyers said. “He helped spread the big lie that led to the Capitol attack, and he did it all while knowing it was a lie.”
Similarly, Lindell’s claims about election fraud have been widely debunked, but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to spread them. As a result, he is now facing a lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems, one of the companies he has accused of rigging the election.
The Limits of Schadenfreude
While it may be tempting to revel in the bad news for Trump’s allies, it’s important to remember that schadenfreude has its limits. Taking pleasure in the misfortune of others can be a fleeting emotion, and it doesn’t necessarily lead to any positive change.
Instead, it’s important to focus on the underlying issues that have led to these legal troubles. The spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in democratic institutions are serious problems that won’t be solved by simply laughing at Giuliani and Lindell.
As Meyers himself noted in a recent segment on Giuliani’s suspension, “The problem isn’t just that Giuliani is a liar; it’s that he’s a liar who was working to undermine democracy.” By focusing on the underlying issues and working to address them, we can help ensure that figures like Giuliani and Lindell don’t have the opportunity to spread their falsehoods in the future.
Conclusion
Seth Meyers may be delighted by the bad news for Trump’s allies, but it’s important to remember that schadenfreude has its limits. While it may be satisfying to see these figures facing consequences for their actions, it’s important to focus on the underlying issues that have led to their legal troubles. By addressing these issues, we can help ensure that figures like Giuliani and Lindell don’t have the opportunity to spread their falsehoods in the future.
