‘Do You Not Have a Dad?’: Seth Meyers Exposes Ted Cruz for Being Hopelessly Out of Touch With Voters
The tone-deafness is deafening.
Seth Meyers just roasted Senator Ted Cruz for being completely out of touch with voters over gas prices, and honestly, it’s the kind of late-night takedown that makes you wonder how some politicians still don’t get it. During his A Closer Look segment on a recent Late Night with Seth Meyers episode, Meyers went after Cruz for claiming that rising gas prices wouldn’t matter in the upcoming midterm elections, delivering a line so sharp it’s going to leave a mark.
“You don’t think people care about high gas prices? Do you not have a dad?” he asked, according to Reality Tea, before launching into a hilarious riff about his own father’s obsession with fuel costs. He joked that his dad, who isn’t exactly a frequent texter, suddenly turns into “an angry girlfriend” when gas prices creep over $4 a gallon.
The NBC host’s point was clear – gas prices aren’t some abstract political talking point. They’re a real, everyday issue that hits people where it hurts, right in their wallets. And if Cruz doesn’t understand that, well, maybe he should ask his own dad. Though, as Meyers pointed out, that might be a complicated conversation, given the whole “helped kill JFK” conspiracy theory that Donald Trump once lobbed at Cruz back in 2016.
That particular dig was a callback to one of the weirdest moments in recent political history
Trump’s accusation was so bizarre that Cruz’s campaign actually had to release a statement calling Trump “detached from reality.” Meyers milked the moment for all it was worth, quipping, “Man, you read that, you think a lot has changed in the last 10 years!”
But then he circled back to his main point – no matter how much the political landscape shifts, voters still care about gas prices. And if Cruz needs proof, Meyers suggested he just say “Kornacki” three times, a nod to NBC’s resident election data guru Steve Kornacki, who could probably rattle off the numbers in his sleep.
The timing of Meyers’ takedown is especially interesting because it comes when late-night comedy is under more scrutiny than ever. Just weeks ago, Stephen Colbert’s long-running show was abruptly canceled, with CBS and Paramount insisting it was purely a financial decision.
The move has sparked widespread speculation, especially given Paramount’s shifting ownership and its perceived ties to allies of President Donald Trump. Colbert’s show was one of the few remaining late-night programs that regularly took direct aim at Trump and his administration, and its cancellation has left a noticeable gap in the landscape.
Meyers’ show is now one of the last standing in that space
Meyers and other late-night hosts like Jon Stewart, John Oliver, and Jimmy Kimmel, have become the de facto watchdogs of political absurdity, calling out hypocrisy and holding power to account in a way that traditional news outlets often struggle to do. And Meyers, in particular, has a knack for making complex issues feel relatable.
His bit about gas prices wasn’t just a joke. It was a reminder that politicians like Cruz often live in a bubble, disconnected from the everyday struggles of the people they’re supposed to represent.
Cruz’s argument that gas prices won’t impact the midterms is especially tone-deaf given the current economic climate. According to Reuters, gas prices have surged by 40% since February 2026. Political analysts have long referred to gas prices as a “kitchen-table” issue, meaning it’s the kind of thing voters think about while making their grocery lists or budgeting for the month. It’s not some distant policy debate but a tangible, immediate concern that can sway elections.
Late-night comedy is now a critical platform for political commentary
In an era where trust in traditional media is eroding, shows like his have become a reliable source of information for many viewers. They break down complex issues with humor, making them accessible without dumbing them down. And when a politician like Cruz makes a statement as out-of-touch as his gas price remarks, it’s the late-night hosts who hold them accountable in a way that’s both entertaining and effective.
The fact that Meyers’ show is still standing is a testament to its relevance. In a media landscape that’s increasingly hostile to dissenting voices, late-night comedy has become a rare space where criticism of the administration isn’t just tolerated; it’s expected. And Meyers isn’t just going through the motions. His takedown of Cruz was sharp, well-researched, and, most importantly, funny. It’s TV that makes you laugh while also making you think.
At the end of the day, Meyers’ joke about Cruz not having a dad might seem like just a punchline, but it’s actually a pretty astute observation. Politicians who lose touch with the realities of everyday life are the ones who end up blindsided by election results.
Gas prices might not be the most glamorous political issue, but they’re the kind of thing that voters remember when they step into the ballot box. And if Cruz doesn’t realize that, he’s in for a rude awakening come November.
(Featured image: The White House)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
Follow The Mary Sue:
