Jay Leno’s recent remarks about late-night hosts being too political have sparked fresh conversations about his own legacy, especially his jokes about Monica Lewinsky during the Clinton scandal. Now 75, the former “Tonight Show” host is facing renewed attention, with many noting the irony of his critique given how often he leaned on politics during his own late-night reign.

The controversy began brewing in February 2025 when Lewinsky appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast with Alex Cooper, where she reflected on her experience as a frequent target of late-night comedy.

The 52-year-old author recalled how deeply the jokes affected her, particularly those from male hosts who dominated the late-night landscape. She specifically mentioned discovering that when Leno retired, the Center for

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