I’m guessing that Leno’s audience is an entirely different type than Letterman’s.
Contrary to what many Conservatives think, many Liberals, like Letterman, are not well educated, just rather easily led. The incentive that works best with them: convince them that to do what is ordered by the "intellectuals" will make them (a) "intellectual," hip, and way cool.
BTW, your sitting POTUS, is easily the dumbest man who ever held the job. Slick ... but dumb ... just like Letterman.