Seth Meyers has an alternate theory on what sparked the new FBI Clinton email hunt
Hillary Clinton's double-digit lead in the polls last week had her in a very good mood — maybe too good, Seth Meyers said on Monday's Late Night. She even proposed on a talk radio program that America needs a national dance party to lighten its mood. Meyers said that would be a terrible idea. "This threat, this very, very serious threat of a national arms-only dance party led by Hillary Clinton caught the attention of the FBI, who realized they had to do something to dampen her spirits," Meyers said.
That of course would be FBI Director James Comey's vague letter to Congress, informing lawmakers of... something about emails. Comey's "ambiguity bomb" of a letter was "so vague, it was like the entire country got a voicemail from the FBI director just saying, 'We need to talk,'" Meyers said. "Donald Trump still hasn't released his tax returns, 12 women have accused him of sexual assault, and he's going on trial for fraud for Trump University in November, but now the only thing the media's talking about is emails," he said. "It's like if during the O.J. trial everyone was focused on whether or not the Ford Bronco had up-to-date registration."
When Meyers got down to brass tacks, he quickly decided Anthony Weiner and details were not a good combination. "Now this latest news has revealed the hypocrisy on display in both parties," Meyers said, with each party switching sides on how they feel about Comey. And Comey himself was concerned that his letter would be misconstrued. "In terms of being misunderstood, don't worry, because our media always behaves calmly and rationally when it comes to potential Clinton scandals," Meyers snarked, with justification. "They would never baselessly speculate."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But this is about more than just the FBI and Clinton and emails, Meyers concluded. "Now we've got Republicans basically foaming at the mouth for another four years of paralyzing political dysfunction," and they were planning for that even before the latest FBI move, he said. "And this kind of permanent investigation where you subject your political opponents to constant hounding and never ending legal proceedings is paralyzing our political system." Watch below. Peter Weber
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
'Make legal immigration a more plausible option'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
LA-to-Las Vegas high-speed rail line breaks ground
Speed Read The railway will be ready as soon as 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel's military intelligence chief resigns
Speed Read Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva is the first leader to quit for failing to prevent the Hamas attack in October
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published