NBC’s Seth Meyers reacted on Wednesday’s edition of Late Night to President Trump’s speech to the U.N. General Assembly with one bizarre claim after another. When Trump threatened consequences for Iran if it does not make a deal, Meyers labeled it “demented” and analogized him to Conan the Barbarian, who is “talking about war crimes” before comparing it to murdering the pizza delivery boy.
With China’s Xi Jinping in town for a state visit, Meyers introduced a clip of Trump at the U.N. by declaring, “Republicans are hoping Trump will discuss Iran at some point during the state visit, especially given the demented ultimatum Trump laid out at the United Nations on Tuesday.”
Seth Meyers says Trump threats towards Iran at the UN were "demented" and wonders "Is it good or bad when the American president starts talking like Conan the Barbarian?"
He also claims "He's talking about war crimes like he's sifting through takeout menus in the kitchen. 'I… pic.twitter.com/8k223yBAGx— Alex Christy (@alexchristy17) September 24, 2026
The quick video of Trump included multiple jump cuts, “I have a big decision to make. Will a deal be made with Iran… or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic?... Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?”
Meyers reacted by combining his Arnold Schwarzenegger and Trump impressions, “I can't remember. Is it good or bad when the American president starts talking like Conan the Barbarian? ‘What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you and hear the lamentations of the women. We love the lamentations, don't we, folks? They're lamenting more and more.’"
Reverting to his normal voice, Meyers continued, “Also nice job letting this madman start a war with no oversight whatsoever, Congress. Feel free to step in at any time. He's talking about war crimes like he's sifting through takeout menus in the kitchen. ‘I have a decision to make here. Do I order Thai or do I order pizza and then kill the delivery man and his entire family?’”
Of course, Meyers never identified what war crime he was alleging Trump was threatening to commit. “Annihilate the Islamic Republic” is not the same as “Annihilate everyone in Iran” and is certainly not analogous to murdering the pizza guy.
Here is a transcript for the September 23-taped show:
NBC Late Night with Seth Meyers
9/24/2026
12:48 AM ET
SETH MEYERS: Nonetheless, Republicans are hoping Trump will discuss Iran at some point during the state visit, especially given the demented ultimatum Trump laid out at the United Nations on Tuesday.
DONALD TRUMP: I have a big decision to make. Will a deal be made with Iran [jump cut] or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic? [jump cut] Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations?
MEYERS: I can't remember. Is it good or bad when the American president starts talking like Conan the Barbarian?
[ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER VOICE] "What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you and hear the lamentations of the women. We love the lamentations, don't we, folks? They're lamenting more and more."
Also nice job letting this madman start a war with no oversight whatsoever, Congress. Feel free to step in at any time. He's talking about war crimes like he's sifting through takeout menus in the kitchen. “I have a decision to make here. Do I order Thai or do I order pizza and then kill the delivery man and his entire family?”
