The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon has suffered a backlash for apparently fawning over Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The trouble started for Fallon on Friday’s show when the comedian asked Trump if he could do something “unpresidential” and mess with the property mogul-turned politician’s mop.

Fallon ruffled Trump’s hair, long suspected of being a toupee, with enthusiasm, leaving the massive comb-over in a mess.

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

Watch the interview:

https://youtu.be/u0BYqzdiuJc

The Tonight Show segment has raised the ire of many who believe Fallon should have seized the opportunity to ask Trump the tough questions.

Variety columnist Sonia Saraiya was adamant Fallon had now lost any shred of credibility as a thinking comedian with a point of view.

Trump, Saraiya said, is in the midst of a “slimy” news cycle.

The outspoken finally admitted President Barack Obama was born in the United States, but in the process re-stoked the controversy and manipulated media coverage to focus on the opening of his new hotel.

“Fallon, either unaware or indifferent to the racist overtones of Trump’s birtherism or the ‘reveal’ of his medical records on Dr. Oz,  chose to fawn all over the candidate,” Saraiya said of The Tonight Show stunt.

“If Trump becomes President, that image of Fallon ruffling Trump’s hair will be the moment when the tide turned.

Fallon had a chance to put the heat on Trump and he squibbed it.

“The gesture was so affectionate and grandfatherly that Fallon provided Trump with a seal of mainstream approval that he does not deserve.”

Saraiya contended it was unfortunate Fallon did not seem to think that there might be something about Trump that deserves more attention than tousling his hair.

“Forget even the argument of journalistic responsibility or political ethics, though those are fair critiques – Fallon could have, as it is his job, made fun of his easily mockable guest,” Saraiya says.

Fallon went soft on Trump’s relationship with Putin. Photo: ABC

“Allowing Trump to get away with 15 minutes of national airtime as fuzzy as a stuffed animal leads the rest of us to wonder: Who wouldn’t Fallon interview with such fawning, giggly acceptance?”

Social media users agreed with Saraiya’s sentiments, accusing Fallon of “showering a racist with love”.

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

https://twitter.com/rjoseph7777/status/776672881795145728

https://twitter.com/aurabogado/status/776658344018780160