Donald Trump on Saturday declared a late-night TV host was "probably" breaking the law by criticizing him, leading a senator to sound the alarm.
Trump over the weekend targeted host Seth Meyers, saying, "Seth Meyers of NBC may be the least talented person to 'perform' live in the history of television."
"I watched his show the other night for the first time in years. In it he talked endlessly about electric catapults on aircraft carriers which I complain about as not being as good as much less expensive steam catapults. On and on he went, a truly deranged lunatic," Trump claimed, adding, "NO TALENT, NO RATINGS, 100% ANTI TRUMP, WHICH IS PROBABLY ILLEGAL!!!"
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, who has been called one of the most outspoken members of the Democratic Party, used the comment as an opportunity to issue a warning.
"You need to understand that he actually believes it is illegal to criticize him," the senator said. "Why? Because Trump believes he - not the people - decides the law."
Murphy added, "This is why we are in the middle of, not on the verge of, a totalitarian takeover."
You need to understand that he actually believes it is illegal to criticize him. Why? Because Trump believes he - not the people - decides the law.
This is why we are in the middle of, not on the verge of, a totalitarian takeover. pic.twitter.com/JN9Gy08BJR
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) November 1, 2025