Inside the Beltway: Late-night shows display political bias

NEWS AND OPINION:

Here are some eye-opening numbers for those readers who wonder about the typical political leanings of late night hosts. Are they liberal? Yes, they are very, very liberal, according to some meticulous research released Monday by Newsbusters.org, a conservative press watchdog.

“The late-night comedy scene has been reliably liberal for a long time, but the 2022 midterm election was a regular messaging machine for the Democrats,” broadcast analyst Alex Christy wrote.

The study revealed that during the fall political campaign — a period stretching from Labor Day through the Monday night before Election Day — liberal guests outnumbered conservative guests 47 to 0 on the late night shows.

That’s right. Those guests were 100% “liberal and/or Democrat,” the analysis found.

It was a thorough undertaking. The study looked at six daily well-known late night comedy shows: ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”; NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”; CBS’ “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Late Late Show with James Corden” and Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.”

The Fox News Channel’s late-night offering — “Gutfeld!” — was not included in the study.

The guests themselves fell into two categories: partisan officials plus a mix of journalists and celebrities. Among the many who appeared: Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee Beto O’Rourke, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former first daughter Chelsea Clinton.

Find the list of shows, a roster of the guests and the methodology used in the unique research at Newsbusters.org.

THREE PRESIDENTS IN A ROW

Former President Donald Trump will likely reveal his intentions for 2024 on Tuesday evening, according to multiple press reports which all ask the same question: Will he run for the White House once again?

Inquiring minds want to know. Mr. Trump’s fans, his foes, the news media, and political rivals will all pay heed to his decision when it surfaces.

Two other former presidents — George W. Bush and Barack Obama — have some big public plans too, and soon.

On Wednesday, Mr. Bush will host a “Struggle for Freedom” conference from the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, which includes an appearance by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via live video link. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen also will provide virtual remarks.

“The Struggle for Freedom will gather activists, experts, and leaders to offer recommendations on ways to advance freedom and democracy. Topics to be examined include the authoritarian threat, the impact of emerging technologies, how the United States can help support democracy and human rights abroad, and sports and human rights,” the host foundation said in a statement.

But wait there’s more. On Thursday, Mr. Obama will also host a public event.

“The Obama Foundation in partnership with Columbia University and the University of Chicago will host a global convening focused on the ideas that are essential to our democracy,” the foundation notes in a public message.

THE ‘ANNOUNCEMENT’ PRESS

Well, at least former President Trump’s much ballyhooed “announcement” on Tuesday will give the media plenty to talk about. News organizations have been loaded with predictions and speculation for weeks about what Mr. Trump will say.

He revealed his intent to deliver the blockbuster statement during a campaign rally on Nov. 7 in Ohio for Senate candidate J.D. Vance. The crowd, of course, cheered with gusto.

Meanwhile, here’s just a few headlines from the last 72 hours:

“How a 2024 announcement would immediately impact Trump and whether it would clear the GOP field; Trump announcing a 2024 campaign would have immediate effect on his political fundraising and even lawsuits,” noted Fox News in a double headline.

“Trump challengers should be ‘ready for war,’ and expect him to come out ‘swinging’ in anticipated 2024 announcement” (Business Insider); “Trump plows forward, GOP critics be damned” (Politico); “Trump is going to announce 2024 presidential run on Tuesday, former senior adviser says” (Yahoo News); “Don’t be fooled; Trump’s hold on the GOP is stronger than ever” (The New York Times); and “GOP worries Trump 2024 announcement will backfire” (The Hill).

SCOTT WALKER HAS A SAY

Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has offered a summary of practical ways to improve elections in the wake of the midterm election.

“Elections should be held on one day. Photo ID should be required. Ballots should be cast in person with exceptions only for military and homebound. Results should be known on the night of the election,” the onetime Republican presidential hopeful noted in a tweet Sunday.

The post was retweeted 12,700 times and had received 63,300 likes by Monday afternoon.

Mr. Walker served as the 45th governor of the Badger State from 2011 to 2019 and ran for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination.

POLL DU JOUR

• 23% of U.S. adults say the outcome of the midterm election will make them more likely to vote for a Republican candidate in the 2024 presidential election; 51% of Republicans, 15% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree.

• 21% overall say the outcome will make them more likely to vote for a Democratic candidate in 2024; 5% of Republicans, 12% of independents and 46% of Democrats agree.

• 44% say the outcome will have “no effect” on their 2024 vote; 37% of Republicans, 54% of independents and 40% of Democrats agree.

• 12% are not sure about the matter; 7% of Republicans, 19% of independents and 7% of Democrats agree.

SOURCE: A YouGov survey of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 9-11.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.