'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

Chuck Schumer said the Pride flag symbolizes equality and urged Congress to permanently protect it at Stonewall National Monument
16 minutes ago
President Donald Trump highlighted rising 401(k) balances, a strong military and what he called historic drops in crime
5 hours ago
Trump pushed back on reports suggesting federal funds were tied to a renaming proposal, while reiterating concerns about potential project overruns
5 hours ago
Bush highlights character, restraint, and peaceful power transfer in Presidents’ Day message
5 hours ago
The memorandum with UK Energy Sec Ed Miliband focused on offshore wind, research collaboration, and expanding access for firms like Octopus Energy
6 hours ago
Florida representative vows to work with DOJ to expose full scope of Epstein scandal
8 hours ago
Civil rights groups asked a judge to restrict how ballots and voter rolls taken in a January search could be used, citing privacy and rights concerns
10 hours ago
Nancy Pelosi is reportedly leveraging her donor network to elevate Newsom’s national profile ahead of a potential 2028 run
17 hours ago
Hillary Clinton said the Trump administration’s Ukraine stance is 'disgraceful' and called forcing a deal with Vladimir Putin 'shameful'
19 hours ago
Maher criticizes Democrats for prioritizing global appearances while Republicans question their focus on domestic security issues
19 hours ago