Michael Che, co-anchor of Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) Weekend Update segment, made headlines with his comedic take on Donald Trump’s 2024 U.S. presidential election win. Trump, who secured the presidency alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance, is set to become the 47th President of the United States.
Michael Che’s Controversial Joke
During the sketch, Che quipped:
“Y’all going to let a man who has 34 felonies be the President of the United States and lead the free world? It’s done. I’m listening to R. Kelly again. I know I do it, but I won’t pretend to be a liar anymore. If white people can choose their felons, I’ll dance to mine.”
The joke stirred mixed reactions online. Some praised Che for being bold, while others harshly criticized the comparison to R. Kelly, a convicted sexual offender.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
Che’s comments sparked debates on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Supporters defended the humor, emphasizing SNL’s satirical nature:
- “Michael Che didn’t hold anything back on SNL.”
- “It’s a joke. A comedy show. WTF’s wrong with you dips**ts?”
However, critics were less forgiving:
- “Imagine comparing Trump’s conviction with R. Kelly’s.”
- “Not all felonies are the same.”
- “Yeah, a white-collar bureaucratic infringement is definitely the exact same thing as underage r**e.”
Colin Jost Adds to the Satire
Che’s co-anchor, Colin Jost, also contributed his own sharp jabs. Referring to Trump’s overwhelming win across swing states and his popular vote victory, Jost compared it to a computer simulation:
“It’s like Trump is being controlled by a cheat code.”
Jost joked about Trump’s campaign momentum:
“At one point, they even added Bronny,” referring to NBA legend LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, who debuted for the Los Angeles Lakers this year.
On Trump’s promise of a “golden era for America,” Jost remarked:
“Things become golden when the sun sets on them.”
He didn’t spare Democrats either, predicting their lack of change:
“Don’t worry guys, I know Democrats. They’re going to take a good look at themselves, learn from past mistakes, and then run Biden in 2028.”
Michael Che’s Subtle Jab at Liberal Optimism
During the segment, Che poured himself a glass of brown liquid (presumably alcohol) and addressed the liberal perspective on the election:
“How did you convince me that the Jamaican-Indian woman would be chosen by rural Pennsylvania? I must have spent too much time around you liberal whites with your naïve optimism. It wasn’t close at all!”
Che referenced Trump’s sweeping victory, which included key swing states and a Republican takeover of the Senate.
The Wealth Debate
Che and Jost also highlighted economic disparities following Trump’s victory. Che joked about the immediate financial gains of the world’s richest individuals:
“A new study shows that the wealth of the world’s top 10 richest individuals grew by over $60 billion after Donald Trump won the election. Don’t worry, Earl: the richest people got richer immediately.”
Closing Thoughts
The segment concluded with a humorous look at the upcoming meeting between President-elect Trump and outgoing President Biden. Che joked that Biden would finish the sentence he started during the June 2024 debate, prior to dropping out of the race.
Despite the backlash, Michael Che has not commented further on the controversy. The segment continues to generate discussion, reflecting the polarized reactions to Trump’s presidency and SNL’s satirical approach.
Keywords:
Michael Che Trump Joke, SNL Weekend Update Trump, Colin Jost Trump Election, Michael Che R. Kelly Joke, Trump 2024 SNL Skit