The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Episode: Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Epstein Files Fallout | ROSALÍA, DJ Khaled
Date: November 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Tonight Show features a lively blend of sharp monologue humor addressing current political events, a star-studded cast preview for the "Wicked For Good" movie, in-depth and playful interviews with music superstar ROSALÍA and hit-making producer DJ Khaled, as well as signature Tonight Show games. The episode maintains Fallon’s energetic and playful tone while showcasing both celebrity guests’ talents and personalities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Monologue: NFL Week, Trump & Marjorie Taylor Greene Fallout [(01:12)–(03:24)]

• The show opens with humorous commentary about the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles, segueing into a political riff on President Trump and Marjorie Taylor Greene’s public split after her criticisms and the supposed fallout from the "Epstein files."
  • “It was Week 11 in the NFL and honestly, it was just nice to watch something get blocked. Besides the Epstein files, it was another action-packed day of NFL football.” — Steve Higgins (01:24)
  • Fallon and Higgins riff on Trump mocking Marjorie Taylor Greene with the nickname "Marjorie Traitor Greene" and Trump’s confusion over his MRI.
  • “Trump considered it a successful MRI because he was able to fit inside the MRI. I think it’s a win.” — Steve Higgins (03:15)

2. Current Events: Pope Leo & "Wicked For Good" Movie [(03:32)–(05:20)]

• Lighthearted commentary on Pope Leo receiving a Knicks jersey from Spike Lee.
• Excitement about the upcoming "Wicked For Good" movie, with a custom musical sketch featuring members of the cast and the show’s core ensemble, including some guest voices.

3. ROSALÍA Interview: Artistry, Languages & Musical Exploration [(06:49)–(15:10)]

Breaking Records & New Album "Lux"

• ROSALÍA celebrates the release of her new album "Lux," which broke Spotify’s record for most streams in 24 hours by a female Spanish language artist and reached #4 on Billboard.
  • “Rosalía’s new album, Lux, proves no one is doing it like her.” — Steve Higgins, quoting Elle Magazine (07:34)
  • "A spiritual journey that rewrites the new testament of pop—that’s LOST 40 radical and riveting." — Steve Higgins, quoting BBC (07:40)

Musical Influences & Process [(08:02)–(10:00)]

• ROSALÍA discusses the classical influences behind "Lux," noting her first time drawing deeply from "musica classica." The creative process took three years.
  • “I never did an album that was inspired in musica classica. I wanted it to be like this... It just took me three years.” — ROSALÍA (08:11)

Performance Techniques & Multiple Languages [(10:00)–(12:56)]

• Describes starting music with guitar at age 9, piano at 16, and that her "main instrument is voice."
  • “My main instrument is voice... But I started actually not singing. I started when I was nine playing the guitar.” — ROSALÍA (09:34)
• Demos traditional Spanish clapping technique, impressing the hosts.
• Performance in 13 languages on the new album, motivated by her curiosity about spirituality and women from around the world.
  • “Depending on the story that I wanted to reference, I would use a language or another.” — ROSALÍA (12:22)
  • Explains learning and refining lyrics using Google Translate, professional translation, and pronunciation coaching.
  • “I would write 20 options of different verses and send it to a translator... then record and then send it to people who would correct the pronunciation.” — ROSALÍA (12:43)

Vocal Warmups & Teaching the Hosts [(13:19)–(14:49)]

• ROSALÍA shares vocal exercises—“diaphragms and warm ups”—and leads the crew through sirens and scales.
  • “You can do sirens. You can do, like, yo yo yo yo yo yo.” — ROSALÍA (14:23)

4. Game Segment: "Seductive, Insulting, or Nonsense" [(15:15)–(21:51)]

• A comedic language game using Spanish sentences—guests must act out and trick the hosts as to whether phrases are seductive, insulting, or nonsense.
  • Hilarity ensues as Steve Higgins guesses meanings and is routinely tricked by ROSALÍA.
  • “I want to make out with you.” — ROSALÍA, revealing a seductive sentence (17:27)
  • “Your eyes are like two public pools that I wouldn’t mind swimming in for a short period of time.” — ROSALÍA, jokingly translating a phrase (18:29)
  • “Give me the peanut butter, I want to dance.” — ROSALÍA, as a nonsense phrase (21:01)
  • Ends in a celebratory moment after the final round.

5. DJ Khaled Interview: Career, Celebrity Encounters & Philosophy [(22:39)–(31:56)]

Approaching 50—Personal Reflections [(23:17)–(24:25)]

• Khaled reflects on aging, gratitude, and the importance of embracing life at 50.
  • “Quincy Jones made Thriller when he was 50 years old… I’m turning 50, and it’s such a blessing, you know what I’m saying?” — DJ Khaled (23:18)
  • Describes a humorous elevator encounter about his "glow."

Movie Roles & Celebrity Stories [(24:39)–(26:54)]

• Shares his experience acting alongside John Travolta, being hyper-focused and improvisational.
  • “So, boom, just following my lead. I’m gonna change some stuff up, but follow my lead… And then I realized I was saying that to John Travolta…” — DJ Khaled (25:01)
• Hilarious story about FaceTiming with Nicolas Cage, connecting over watch collecting, and being starstruck.
  • “I’m telling him for, like, five minutes straight, you’re Nicolas Cage… I felt like I knew him for 10 years.” — DJ Khaled (26:27)

Watch Collection Show & Tell [(27:07)–(29:14)]

• Khaled presents a variety of rare watches and shares the names he gives each piece (“21 Savage,” “Birthday Cake,” “Listerine”).
• DJ Khaled and Steve Higgins swap stories and show off watches, including a rare Cartier with every number in a different language meant to symbolize world peace.

Philanthropy: DJ Khaled’s Celebrity Golf Classic [(29:22)–(30:48)]

• Promotes the 3rd annual "We the Best Celebrity Golf Classic," charitable event in Miami during Art Basel week, supporting communities and youth.
  • “It’s so many celebs… you would think it’s the Oscars, Grammys, Saturday Night Live… Everybody comes to support the communities, the young world, families in need.” — DJ Khaled (29:45)

Upcoming Album: "Alam of God" [(30:52)–(31:54)]

• Discusses long-awaited 14th studio album dropping early next year, inspired by recent life milestones.
  • “All this inspiration has been really what’s been going in the album… everybody’s asking who’s on the album. I have the answer for you: Everyone. All your favorites.” — DJ Khaled (31:01)
• Fallon and Higgins congratulate him, closing on birthday wishes.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve Higgins (on Trump’s MRI):
  "Trump considered it a successful MRI because he was able to fit inside the MRI. I think it’s a win." (03:15)

• ROSALÍA (on making music):
  "When I’m about to go to the studio, I know how I want it to sound… And then… you can just share it. Even if you’re nervous… the excitement is even…" (08:36)

• ROSALÍA (on clapping and rhythm):
  "That’s one way of doing it. Everybody can do different… We don’t judge here." (10:26)

• DJ Khaled (on aging):
  "I wake up every morning, I look at my skin and my glow. I'm like, man, look how beautiful I am at 50." (23:00)

• DJ Khaled (on celebrity encounters):
  "I'm telling [Nicolas Cage] for, like, five minutes straight, you're Nicolas Cage… I was starstruck." (26:27)

• DJ Khaled (on philanthropy):
  "That’s the blessing that you can give. This tournament… brings good energy but it represents unity and love." (30:23)

Important Timestamps

• Monologue: NFL & Politics — 01:12–03:24
• "Wicked" Cast Sketch — 04:25–05:20
• ROSALÍA Interview (New Album, Languages, Music Process) — 06:49–15:10
• Game: Seductive, Insulting, or Nonsense (w/ ROSALÍA) — 15:10–21:51
• DJ Khaled Interview (Birthday, Films, Watches, Philanthropy, New Album) — 22:39–31:54

Overall Tone & Flow

• The episode maintains Fallon’s trademark blend of irreverence, high energy, and warmth.
• Political satire is handled playfully, never mean-spirited, keeping the mood light.
• Both ROSALÍA and DJ Khaled are celebrated for artistic risk and reinvention, with space given to their personal stories and unique talents.
• The group dynamic is convivial, collaborative, and full of effortless humor.

Recommended for:
Fans interested in celebrity interviews with substance and play, music lovers, pop culture aficionados, and anyone seeking a recap of trending news filtered through The Tonight Show’s comic lens.