White House Critiques “SNL” Over Assassination Joke Targeting Trump

The White House has expressed strong disapproval of “Saturday Night Live” after a controversial joke about President Donald Trump aired recently.

During the “Weekend Update” segment on Saturday, Michael Che made light of Trump attending the opening of “Chicago” at the Trump Kennedy Center. His comment, “I think it’s great that the president is going to the theater. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?” was a nod to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, which elicited cheers from a liberal audience.

White House Press Secretary Davis Engle responded critically, stating to Fox News Digital that “Saturday Night Live has stopped being good television since President Trump became host.”

Interestingly, Trump had previously graced the “SNL” stage back in 2015 while he was still known mainly for his role on “The Apprentice.”

Last month, “SNL” also faced backlash for a segment that poked fun at Tourette syndrome, referencing a controversial moment from this year’s BAFTAs. The disorder involves involuntary movements and vocal tics, and some celebrities have used it as an explanation for their problematic comments.

Emma McNally, the CEO of Tourette Action, criticized the sketch, labeling it “unacceptable” in an email to Deadline. She emphasized, “Mocking a disability is never acceptable. It wouldn’t be tolerated with any other illness, and it shouldn’t be tolerated with people with Tourette’s.”