Seth Meyers reacts to Trump’s 2024 U.S. presidential election win with obstinate hope

The results of the 2024 election are in, with Donald Trump successfully winning a second term as President of the United States. While it clearly wasn’t the outcome Seth Meyers was hoping for, the Late Night host has encouraged other disappointed Americans not to lose heart.

“All I do know is that the fight for justice doesn’t end with one election,” Meyers said during the latest episode. “We must all gird ourselves for what comes next, and do everything in our power to make real the world we want to live in. In times like these when everything feels overwhelming and impossible, like all hope is lost, we have no choice but to look back on the broad scope of history. Justice is not automatic, comeuppance is not guaranteed. Politics unfortunately is not a Marvel movie, even though Joe Biden does look eerily like old Captain America.

“That doesn’t mean the struggle toward a more just and compassionate world is futile, it just means it’s fucking hard and heartbreaking and soul-crushing and agonising and it never ends. Democracy does not happen only on election day.”

Meyers did acknowledge that the U.S. is likely to face hard times, quickly running through some of Trump’s most dangerous and controversial and policies. But with the election done and dusted, and Trump destined for the top job once again, Meyers told viewers to focus now on what they as average Americans can do to make the world a better place.

“He said he would be a dictator on day one,” Meyers continued. “The question now is: What will the rest of us be doing on day one? If you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who said no to Trump’s dark, dangerous vision for America last night, now is the time to stand in solidarity with our friends, with our neighbours, with the vulnerable communities, and begin the hard work of making real the world we want to live in. That’s what we will be doing on day one. We do hope you’ll join us.”