Jay Leno explains why he kept political statements out of his comedy

Jay Leno said he preferred to make fun of both political sides rather than take a position. He explained that audiences respond differently depending on where he performs: a joke about Donald Trump might be cheered in Hollywood and booed in Indiana. Leno said he took politics out of the center of his act, after which ticket sales rose by 20% to 30%. He compared it with a James Taylor concert: in his view, audiences come for entertainment, not a lecture.

Leno also said it is harder to joke about someone he genuinely dislikes. As an example, he contrasted more oblique references to George W. Bush with direct insults, saying the understated approach worked better with audiences. This is Leno’s account of his own approach to performing, not an independently verified explanation for the change in ticket sales.