David Letterman opens up why late night hosts take on President Trump

Former television talk show host and comedian David Letterman recently revealed why late night hosts have an "obligation" to take on U.S President Donald Trump.

Speaking to New York Magazine, he said, it is because comedy is "one of the ways that we can protect ourselves" from the president.

Letterman even said that he doesn't pay much attention to late night TV these days, but he wouldn't have to watch long to see his successor, Stephen Colbert, taking on Trump to great success, reports CNN.

"Trump entered the room and did the traditional handshakes with everybody," Colbert said in his opening monologue after Trump's speech to congress last week. "So many handshakes, such little hands."

With Colbert growing more vocal against Trump, his show 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' has found more viewers and topped its competitors in February.

It marked CBS' first late night victory in February sweeps, since 2010.

Letterman, who retired in 2015 after 33 years in late night, said he would be "exhausted" from joking about Trump if he was still on the air.