WATCH: Jimmy Fallon messes up Donald Trump’s hair

WASHINGTON, USA – Donald Trump’s hair – a crusty, complex, yellowish affair that has become one of the enigmas of a very weird US presidential race – got messed with big time on Thursday, September 15. (WATCH: Jimmy Fallon, teenager are spot on as Donald Trump)

It was a lighthearted moment that capped off Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon’s interview – but it drew flak online for his line of questioning for Trump, a presidential candidate enjoying significant support despite various controversies and objectionable comments insulting various minority groups, media groups, Gold Star families, and his opponent, Hillary Clinton, among others. 

Among Fallon’s critics was The Guardian Writer-at-Large Steven W Thrasher, who pointed out that after NBC cut ties wth Trump in 2015 following Trump’s harsh comments on Mexican immigrants, it seems they are now trying to win him back. Trump hosted Saturday Night Live in July before his chat with Fallon. 

“Not only was it not funny. It didn’t do anything to take Trump down a notch (if it was even meant to). Instead, it humanized him, boosting him on that stupid metric so many Americans use when choosing a president: ‘Hey, he’s a guy I’d want to have a beer with! Look at him, letting Fallon have fun with him!'” wrote Thrasher.

“You think the idea of Trump in the White House is as harmless as your face on a pint of Ben and Jerry’s,” wrote Thrasher to Fallon later in his piece. “Maybe it is to you, as a powerful white man on TV who doesn’t have to worry about life as a woman, Muslim, Black or Latin person, immigrant, or queer American living under Trumpism (an era which has already begun and will continue, regardless of whether Trump is elected).”

Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Frank Scheck said, “[Fallon’s] softball interviewing style makes you nostalgic for the steely edginess of [former late night host] Jay Leno.”

On Twitter, journalists and casual viewers agreed.

Was Jimmy Fallon supposed to do a hard-hitting interview? Of course not. Was he supposed to shower a racist with love? No. Not that, either.

— Aura Bogado (@aurabogado) September 16, 2016

I don’t fault Jimmy Fallon for not being a journalist. I do fault him for his willingness to serve as hell’s court jester.

— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) September 16, 2016

Jimmy Fallon: Mind if I touch your moustache?

Adolf Hitler: *chuckles* Nein.

— Vault Boy 69 (@aka_fatman) September 16, 2016

Actress Suzanne Cryer spoke to Variety about the interview, saying, “Jimmy Fallon screwed up the other evening… I think it’s totally unacceptable. I think it’s unacceptable to validate someone who’s full of hatred. I think we don’t act like he’s [Trump] a funny joker, because he’s not a funny joker, he’s scary, and he doesn’t like people of color, and he doesn’t like women, and he’s xenophobic. So I don’t think we tousle his hair and act like it’s a big joke, because it’s not a big joke.”

.@IamSuzanneCryer calls out @JimmyFallon for validating #Trump. | #VarietyWIF Emmy Celebration pic.twitter.com/bBggmTfpMW

— Variety (@Variety) September 17, 2016

On his Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon appearance, the usually brash presidential candidate talked in subdued tones and played the good sport.

Fallon did his very popular impression of Trump’s speaking style, ribbed him right and left and concluded his interview with a request.

“Can I mess up your hair?” Fallon said.

The comic explained that this might be the last time he could ask to do something unpresidential with Trump, lest he win election in November against Hillary Clinton.

The crowd went nuts over the idea.

Trump grinned and agreed.

Fallon reached out with his right hand and mussed Trump’s hair with a vigorous, repeated rub. The Republican nominee endured it with a broad smile.

Trump, 70, has an elaborate hair-do centered on what seems to be an ambitious comb-over.

Nothing fell off with Fallon’s intervention but the result was not very pretty as Trump’s long locks ended up pointing messily every which way.

On other matters, Fallon christened what he called Trump’s “bromance” with Vladimir Putin as “Vlump,” and asked him about his penchant for eating fast food.

“At least you know what you’re getting,” Trump said. He added that if he went to an unknown place, “If they don’t like me … I don’t know. I’m better off with fast food.”

Fallon also thanked Trump for providing what he described as grist for so much comic material.

“You say some shocking things,” Fallon said.

“But I’m trying not to anymore,” Trump replied. – With reports from AFP/Rappler.com