Trump campaign slams SNL for joking about assassination attempts, calling it “disgusting.”
At a Glance
- SNL’s season premiere included skits referencing assassination attempts on Trump
- The Trump campaign criticized SNL on social media, calling the jokes “disgusting”
- Two real assassination attempts on Trump occurred within seven weeks
- The controversy highlights ongoing tension between Trump and satirical media
Trump Campaign Fires Back at SNL
The Trump campaign has launched a scathing critique of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) following the show’s season premiere, which featured content mocking recent assassination attempts on the former president. The campaign’s response, posted on social media platform X, condemned the comedy show for finding humor in what they consider a gravely serious matter.
“There were two assassination attempts against President Trump within a span of seven weeks. @nbcsnl apparently finds that funny. Disgusting,” the Trump campaign declared on their social media account.
The Trump campaign lashed out at "Saturday Night Live" over the weekend on X after the television show's season premiere included a skit about assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump. https://t.co/ekaGCNCfp1
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) September 30, 2024
SNL’s Controversial Skits
The season premiere of SNL, known for its political satire, included multiple references to the assassination attempts on Trump. During the “Weekend Update” segment, co-anchor Colin Jost made light of the situation, linking it to Trump’s recent comments about his physical fitness compared to President Biden’s.
The show’s cold open also featured James Austin Johnson reprising his role as Trump, making controversial statements that touched on sensitive topics. “They say that me blaming Democrats for inciting violence is the pot calling the kettle black,” Johnson’s Trump character said. “But frankly, I didn’t know the kettle was Black until very recently. I thought the kettle was Indian but then she decided to turn Black.”
Real-Life Assassination Attempts
The controversy stems from two actual assassination attempts on Trump that occurred earlier this year. In July, a bullet reportedly grazed Trump’s ear during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulting in the death of a rally attendee and injuries to two others. A second attempt took place in September when an individual allegedly tried to shoot Trump at a Florida golf course.
Ongoing Tensions with Media
This incident underscores the continuing friction between Trump and major media entities, particularly those known for their satirical programming. The Trump campaign’s strong reaction highlights their sensitivity to how the former president is portrayed in popular media, especially concerning serious threats to his safety.
“SNL” referenced the assassination attempts during the “Weekend Update” segment as well, during which Colin Jost quipped that he was “starting to worry that bullet got a little more than just the ear,” after playing a clip of Trump saying he had a better “body” than President Biden at a recent rally.
As the 2024 election cycle heats up, it’s likely that the tension between Trump and satirical media will continue to be a point of contention. The controversy raises questions about the boundaries of political satire and the responsibility of comedy shows when addressing sensitive topics like assassination attempts.
Public Reaction and Debate
The incident has sparked debate among viewers and critics about the appropriateness of using such serious events as material for comedy. While some defend SNL’s right to satirize political figures and events, others argue that joking about assassination attempts crosses a line, regardless of the target.
As of now, NBC, the network that airs SNL, has not publicly responded to the Trump campaign’s criticism. The controversy continues to unfold, highlighting the complex relationship between politics, media, and comedy in today’s polarized political landscape.
