Veteran comedian and former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno said Thursday he is taking a step back from political humor because he doesn't want to alienate his audience in today's fractious political climate.

Mr. Leno, known for his even-handed approach to satire during his late-night shift days, shared his insights in a speech. exterior In “Piers Morgan Uncensored”. Leno recalled a time when jokes about politics were the backbone of his comedy repertoire. “I stopped playing politics in my acting at all, because when I did 'The Tonight Show,' the idea was to make fun of both sides equally,” Leno told Piers Morgan. Ta.

“Now you have to take sides, or people get angry. When I start telling political jokes, they want to know the punchline before they say it. or the opposite,” Leno added. “So I stopped doing that because I just want people to come and laugh and have a good time. That's the idea of ​​doing a comedy show.” (Related: Report: Jay Leno injured in motorcycle accident months after being burned in car fire)

In a candid conversation with Morgan, Leno expressed his personal views and said that while he is “not a fan” of Donald Trump, he did not agree with the state-led effort to exclude the former president from the electoral vote. clarified that it opposed the move and labeled such an act contrary to the presidential system. Democratic principles.

“I'm against any cause that might be against you,” he said. “I think we can do a little bit better. You know all these indictments, whatever it is.”