The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – Episode Summary: Trump Tumbles on Air Force One | Robert De Niro, "Weird Al" Yankovic | Monday, June 9

Introduction

Broadcasting from Studio 6P at Rockefeller Center in New York City, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon welcomed viewers to an engaging and entertaining episode on June 10, 2025. The show featured the esteemed actors Robert De Niro and comedy legend "Weird Al" Yankovic, with musical performances by the legendary Roots crew, S A Y, and Jimmy Mack.

Jimmy Fallon's Monologue: Navigating Current Events with Humor

Jimmy Fallon kicked off the show with his signature monologue, blending humor with a critique of recent political and pop culture events.

• Robert De Niro's Upcoming Projects: Fallon teased De Niro's involvement in "Meet the Parents 4," humorously clarifying misconceptions about Trump and Elon Musk's involvement. He quipped, “He said, what did Trump and Elon do now? And I go, no, no, no, the movie” (00:45).

• President Trump's Air Force One Mishap: Highlighting President Trump's recent troubles boarding Air Force One, Fallon joked, “That's what happens when your necktie is eight feet long. That's why I'm not shocked that he tripped. I'm shocked that he had the upper body strength to hold himself up” (02:10).

• Trump and Elon Musk Feud: Discussing the infamous feud between Trump and Elon Musk, Fallon mocked Trump's attempt to sell his Tesla, likening it to a post-breakup dilemma: “It's like, I want my vinyl back. I said, original Village People” (03:15). He even created a humorous faux commercial for "Trump Tesla," blending various car brands with a satirical twist.

• Business News with a Comedic Edge: Fallon touched on Lululemon's price hikes due to Trump's tariffs and Chipotle's new dip launch, interspersing jokes to keep the tone light. He humorously addressed the news of two international researchers charged with smuggling fungus into Michigan, turning it into a playful band name: “Smuggling Fungus, ladies and gentlemen. Amazing” (06:50).

• Heartfelt Tribute to Sly Stone: Transitioning to a more somber note, Fallon announced the passing of Sly Stone, celebrating his legacy and the documentary "Sly Lives" by Questlove. He remarked, “He will be missed. If you want to check out what Questlove did, it's on Hulu. It's called Sly Liz” (07:07).

Interactive Segments: "Who Knew?" and "Topical Karaoke"

• Who Knew? (09:44): Fallon introduced the "Who Knew?" segment, revealing surprising facts about himself and his guests. Highlights included De Niro's ability to sink limes and "Weird Al" Yankovic's harmonica skills and playful revelation that his voice is dubbed by Walton Goggins.

• Topical Karaoke (12:33): Engaging the audience, Fallon hosted "Topical Karaoke," where contestants performed songs using actual news quotes. Notable performances included:

  • Contestant 1 (15:03): A humorous rendition of President Trump's quote about Ozempic, creatively titled "A Friend of Mine."

  • Contestant 2 (16:37): An impassioned performance of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's remarks on Newark Airport's equipment issues.

  • Contestant 3 (17:29): An electrifying interpretation of Elon Musk's response to Trump's congressional spending bill, earning a standing ovation.

The segment concluded with contestant three being declared the winner, highlighting the audience's enthusiasm and the show's blend of humor and current events.

In-Depth Conversations with Robert De Niro

Post-segments, Robert De Niro rejoined the stage, engaging in a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Fallon.

• Career Reflections (20:24): De Niro reminisced about his first appearance on late-night TV with Fallon in 2000 during "Weekend Update" and their collaborative stint celebrating "Saturday Night Live's" 50th anniversary. He shared, “I always had good times with Marty. He just has a special way of working that makes it easy” (22:07).

• Tribeca Festival and Celebrations (23:03): De Niro discussed his role as a co-founder of the Tribeca Festival, celebrating its 24th year. Fallon promoted the festival, urging viewers to attend through June 15th.

• Movie Recommendations and Preferences (25:20): In a playful segment, Fallon asked De Niro to recommend one of his iconic films for the audience to watch. The conversation included humorous indecision between classics like "Goodfellas," "Taxi Driver," and "Raging Bull," ultimately leading to selections like "Casino" and "The Godfather Part II." De Niro emphasized, “If I was mad at one of my kids, I could threaten them with showing them Cape Fear” (27:30), showcasing his charismatic blend of humor and sincerity.

Spotlight on "Weird Al" Yankovic

Transitioning to his musical guest, Fallon welcomed "Weird Al" Yankovic, delving into his illustrious career and upcoming tour.

• Early Career and Billboard Misstep (32:23): Yankovic recounted his first appearance in Billboard magazine, humorously noting, “They misspelled my name. It was Weird Owl” (32:40). Fallon playfully highlighted the mistake, enhancing the segment’s comedic flair.

• High School Antics and Club Creation (34:12): Yankovic shared quirky stories from his high school days, including the formation of the "Volcano Worshipers Club," which served as a humorous tactic to secure an extra yearbook photo despite the club’s inactive status.

• Tour Insights and Collaborations (37:25): Discussing his "Bigger and Weirder" tour, Yankovic detailed the enhancements from his previous "Ill Advised Vanity" tour, emphasizing larger stage setups, costume changes, and a bigger band. He enthusiastically mentioned collaborations, including a standout moment where Fallon shared his experience working on the "New Year's Eve Polka" with Yankovic and the Roots: “It was so easy and fun working with you. You are a genius, dude” (36:07).

• Anecdotes and Inspirations (38:28): Yankovic reminisced about attending Elton John concerts as a teenager, drawing a heartwarming parallel to his current status as a performer on the grand stage at Madison Square Garden.

Conclusion

As the show wrapped up, Fallon extended heartfelt congratulations to Yankovic on his tour and acknowledged De Niro's enduring legacy in cinema and the arts. The episode concluded with a blend of humor, heartfelt tributes, and enthusiastic promotion of upcoming projects and tours, leaving viewers both entertained and informed.

Notable Quotes:

• Jimmy Fallon on Trump's Necktie: “That's what happens when your necktie is eight feet long. That's why I'm not shocked that he tripped” (02:10).

• Robert De Niro on Comedy: “Even when my mother told me I was funny when I was a kid” (21:38).

• "Weird Al" on Being Weird: “I like to think I'm the good kind” (33:00).

• Fallon on Topical Karaoke Winner: “Congratulations. That's amazing” (20:24).

This episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon masterfully balanced humor with insightful conversations, celebrating iconic figures like Robert De Niro and "Weird Al" Yankovic while keeping the audience engaged with topical humor and interactive segments.