Jay Leno Says 2024 Presidential Election Marked “a Great Day for Democracy”
Jay Leno isn’t a fan of Donald Trump, but he has positive words for Election Day overall.
The former Tonight Show host appeared on Wednesday’s episode of CBS’ daytime show The Talk, where he said the results of the Nov. 5 presidential election marked “a great day for democracy.”
More from The Hollywood Reporter
“There was no cheating; everybody said it was honest,” he said.
Talk co-host Natalie Morales also asked Leno what he remembered from his time hosting an episode of his late-night talk show the day after a big election.
“It was different in my day,” he said. “You kind of made fun of both sides.” He continued: “So you got angry letters from both sides. Now you kind of have to take a side. It’s a little bit different, but the nice thing about this election is, it was fair. I was not a fan, but that’s OK. It’s the president of the United States. Let’s all get together, thank you very much.”
(In 2009, Leno welcomed President Barack Obama to The Tonight Show, marking the first time that a sitting president appeared on his show.)
Leno added on The Talk that his fear is that there will be “name calling” and other divisive actions in the days after the Nov. 5 election, in which Trump was voted as president-elect, beating Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
His reaction was more optimistic than some other Democrats who work in Hollywood, including, for example, Billie Eilish, who posted, “It’s a war on women.” Christina Applegate posted: “Why? Give me your reasons why????? My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away. Why?And if you disagree, please unfollow me.” John Cusack wrote in a now-deleted post, “The fact that the country would choose to destroy itself by voting in a convicted felon rapist and Nazi is a sign of deep nihilism. To put it mildly.”
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.