Saturday Night Live (SNL) is facing backlash this week after a joke about President Donald Trump aired during its Weekend Update segment. Many viewers called the comment reckless, arguing it referenced political violence at a time when tensions are already high.
SNL criticized over Donald Trump joke
The SNL criticism started when co-host Michael Che shared that Donald Trump planned to see a performance of Chicago at the Kennedy Center. Che then said, “The president is going to the theatre, mean, what’s the worst that can happen?” The studio audience laughed. But online, the reaction turned sour almost immediately.
Many viewers recognized the line as an indirect nod to Abraham Lincoln’s 1865 murder at Ford’s Theater, where John Wilkes Booth shot the president during a play. Others pointed out that Trump himself has already survived one assassination attempt, making the joke feel dangerous rather than funny.
The show got criticized across X and other platforms. Critics came from both ends of the political spectrum. Some called the show’s writers irresponsible. Others expressed shock that NBC allowed the segment to air at all. One user wrote, “There’s dark humour but there’s also taking it to far humour.”
Even people who do not support Trump voiced their displeasure. They argued that joking about a sitting president being killed, especially in a country with high rates of gun violence, crosses a clear ethical line. A few commenters also criticized the audience members who applauded after the Donald Trump joke, calling their reaction tone-deaf.
Saturday Night Live has built its reputation on political satire. For decades, the show has used humor to question and mock leaders. The show has not issued an official response. Neither Donald Trump nor anyone else has commented on it. For now, the debate continues over whether Che’s comment was edgy comedy or a step too far.
Originally reported by Devanshi Basu for Mandatory.
