'He's just dumb': Internet in splits as Jimmy Fallon ridicules Donald Trump's bizarre shout-out to 'late, great Hannibal Lecter'

Jimmy Fallon called out Trump for paying tribute to Hannibal Lecter and poked fun at it with a spoof video of the ex-POTUS praising other villainous characters
PUBLISHED MAY 15, 2024
Jimmy Fallon took a jab at Donald Trump's New Jersey rally speech (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube, Getty Images)
Jimmy Fallon took a jab at Donald Trump's New Jersey rally speech (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube, Getty Images)

WILDWOOD, NEW JERSEY: Jimmy Fallon envisioned other outrageous shout-outs Donald Trump might give after the former president praised the "late, great Hannibal Lecter" during his May 11 New Jersey rally.

Trump brought up Thomas Harris' iconic character, Hannibal Lecter, a fictional cannibal and murderer, portrayed by Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins in the 1991 film 'The Silence of the Lambs', while discussing the supposed problems of current immigration policies. 



 

Fallon reacts with surprise to Trump praising Hannibal Lecter

Fallon began his monologue by noting, "Trump spoke for nearly two hours and he covered a lot, including his thoughts on Hannibal Lecter," and proceeded to play a clip of Trump from his New Jersey rally

"Has anyone ever seen 'The Silence of the Lambs'?" asked Trump to a massive crowd, before saying, "The late, great Hannibal Lecter. He’s a wonderful man." 

The former referenced the film's final scene in which Lecter follows his next victim down a crowded street and the character's memorable line, "I'm having an old friend for dinner."

Trump said, "He oftentimes would have a friend for dinner. Remember the last scene? ‘Excuse me, I’m about to have a friend for dinner,’ as this poor doctor walked by. ‘I’m about to have a friend for dinner,'" and ended his tribute by saying, "But Hannibal Lecter. Congratulations. The late, great Hannibal Lecter."

Donald Trump paid a bizarre tribute to the fictional cannibalistic killer Hannibal Lectre at a New Jersey rally (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube)
Donald Trump paid a bizarre tribute to the fictional cannibal Hannibal Lecter at a New Jersey rally (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube)

A perplexed Fallon asked, "What is going on? What is going on? What is going on?" before suggesting, "I’m not a political expert, but maybe don't keep saying 'the late, great Hannibal Lecter.'"

"Well, it turns out that's not the only surprising person who Trump said nice things about," continued the late-night host and proceeded to play a spoof video of Trump at a rally, seemingly complimenting other movie villains like Darth Vader, Lord Voldemort, and the shark from 'Jaws'.

In the clip, Trump was seen saying, "Darth Vader was a good man, a very good man, who just wanted to be a good father," among other good things about fictional characters.

Jimmy Fallon was perplexed as Donald Trump praised the 'late, great Hannibal Lecter' (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube)
Jimmy Fallon was perplexed as Donald Trump praised the 'late, great Hannibal Lecter' (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube)

Internet reacts as Jimmy Fallon takes aim at Donald Trump's outlandish rally speech

One expressed, "In the cult of personality, believing in stupid things is how Trump supporters show their loyalty," and another quipped, "Trump is trying to play it off but he actually thinks the great Hannibal lector is an actual person."

A person joked, "Even Hannibal Lecter is saying to himself, 'Woah buddy, ease up on the hero worship there.'" "Hannibal Lechter..such warm fuzzy sort of human being," jested someone else.

One more said, "Trump just saw Hannibal for the 1st time," and another person declared, "I can't wait for the Silence of the Trump!" 

A viewer offered, "I've heard MAGAs claiming Trump's blunders are just him trolling. No, he's just dumb." "Biden flubs a line, meanwhile Trump: 'Cannibals, they're the best. Who doesn't like cannibals? I'm hearing, everyone's saying, they're fantastic,'" quipped a netizen.

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online. 

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao said that the policy reflected military judgment and constitutional precedent
9 hours ago
The measures will restrict ICE actions at schools, hospitals, and courthouses, while expanding privacy safeguards and legal avenues for migrants
11 hours ago
Jeff Merkley and Catherine Cortez Masto introduced the 'Change Corruption Act', which sought to ban living presidents from appearing on US currency
12 hours ago
The 85,000 visas revoked in 2025 is more than twice the number of those that were canceled last year
23 hours ago
Crockett said: 'Now, there are those who say, ‘Ain’t no way, we done tried this 50 kinds of ways.’ Let me be clear: Y’all ain’t never tried it the JC way.'
1 day ago
Donald Trump’s aid program, aimed at stabilizing agriculture, includes $11 billion in one‑time USDA payments to help growers facing rising costs
1 day ago
Republicans are divided as the ACA subsidy deadline nears, with millions at risk of higher premiums if subsidies expire
1 day ago
Donald Trump advanced a nationwide AI rulebook seeking to override state laws, a move that has fueled legal uncertainty and deepened party divisions
1 day ago
Congress unveiled a $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act that set Pentagon priorities for 2026 by balancing both House and Senate demands
1 day ago
Seth Moulton’s comments come as Democrat lawmakers continue hammering the administration over its handling of the drug boat strikes
2 days ago