Trump's appearance on Gutfeld! draws 5 million viewers, topping all prime-time shows

Trump’s appearance on the late-night show, which aired on a Wednesday, drew significant attention not only for its large audience but also for the candid exchange he had with host Greg Gutfeld and his panelists. The episode featured Trump discussing his approach during a recent debate against Vice President Kamala Harris and making light of a previous assassination attempt. The show’s ratings outperformed notable season premieres, such as CBS’s Survivor and ABC’s The Golden Bachelorette, further solidifying Gutfeld! as a leader in late-night programming. This event reflects the shifting dynamics in viewership and the strong draw of Trump’s presence in media discussions.

Viewer Demographics and Competition

The episode garnered approximately 744,000 viewers in the key 25-54 age demographic, a crucial audience segment for advertisers. In comparison to other late-night shows, Gutfeld! averaged 3.2 million viewers for the week, significantly outpacing CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (1.9 million), ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1.6 million), and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1 million).

Impact on Late-Night Television

Trump’s high-profile appearance not only boosted Gutfeld!’s ratings but also underscored the evolving landscape of late-night television, where political figures can draw substantial audiences. This trend indicates a growing interest in political discourse within entertainment formats, as viewers seek out platforms that engage with current events in a humorous and relatable manner. The success of this episode may encourage more political figures to participate in similar formats, further blending politics with entertainment.