Billy Eichner slammed Jimmy Fallon for “fluffing” Donald Trump’s hair during the election on the “Tonight Show.”
“I don’t think that was a good moment. Moving forward, with how potentially dangerous these guys can be, you can’t be fluffing a Nazi sympathizer’s hair on television,” Eichner told Vulture in a wide-ranging interview.
“I hope that he’ll be more mindful of that because Jimmy does have a big platform,” Eichner continued. “He gets double the ratings of the other guys. He is probably speaking to more Trump voters than you or I. And I do think there’s a responsibility to not take things lightly. Even if you’re a performer whose go-to is to focus more on the more lighthearted stuff. I could be wrong, but I have a feeling he wouldn’t it again.”
“I thought it was naïve and a bit of a slap in the face to all the people that I know for a fact Jimmy Fallon loves and celebrates: the LGBT community, women, people of color. I’ve done Jimmy’s show twice. I think he is a huge talent. I really, really do,” Eichner said.
Back in September, Trump appeared on the “Tonight Show” and Fallon asked if he could play with his hair.
While Trump looked apprehensive, Fallon promised, “I’ll be gentle.” Trump finally agreed, awarding Fallon a rare opportunity, while adding that he hoped voters wouldn’t mind. That’s when Fallon went where few have gone before, putting his fingers through Trump’s famous hair.
Fallon was criticized for the move, which many perceived as going too soft on the candidate.
“Have you seen my show?” Fallon told TMZ. “No. I’m never too hard on anyone.”