What did Michael Che say about R Kelly ? SNL star's joke aimed at Trump election victory sparks online backlash
This week's Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live (SNL) saw co-anchor Michael Che reacting to Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Elections. On Saturday, November 9, 2024, the comedian quipped:
"Y’all gonna let a man with 34 felonies lead the free world and be the president of the United States? That’s it, I’m listening to R. Kelly again. I already do, but I’m gonna stop pretending I don’t. If white people can elect their felon, I can dance to mine."
Last week, the elections were declared in favor of the Republican ticket, Donald Trump, after he won more than 270 electoral votes. He will serve as the 47th President of the United States with his running mate, JD Vance becoming the 50th Vice President.
The joke caused quite a stir. Many reacted positively, stating that Che did not hold back. Here are some comments seen on X:
"Michael Che definitely didn’t hold back on SNL," one person wrote.
"its a joke a comedy show wtf is wrong with you dips**ts," a person stated.
Others harshly criticized the comparison with R. Kelly, a convicted of s*xually abusing children.
"Imagine comparing Trump’s conviction to R Kelly’s," another person commented.
"SNL used to have a hold of culture trends… We used to laugh at their skits; now we laugh at them!" another X user said.
"Yeah a bureaucratic white collar infringement is definitely the same thing as underage r**e," another person added.
"What an a**hole. R. Kelly r**ed underage girls. Donald Trump paid back his loans with interest. All felonies are not the same," another X user wrote.
"The richest people immediately got richer" - Michael Che about Donald Trump's victory
During the sketch, Michael Che reached under his desk for a glass of brown liquid (seemingly alcohol) before rhetorically asking:
"How did I let y’all convince me that rural Pennsylvania would pick the Jamaican Indian lady? Clearly I’ve been spending too much time with you white liberals and your goofy optimism. It wasn’t even close!"
Michael Che is referring to Trump winning the popular vote, getting all the swing states, with Republicans taking control of the Senate. Co-anchor Colin Jost jokingly likened it to living in a "computer simulation" where the person controlling Trump used a "cheat code."
Che noted that at one point Trump was so far ahead that "they put in Bronny." He was referring to NBA legend LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, who debuted for the Los Angeles Lakers this year.
At one point during the skit, Michael Che criticized those who voted for Trump because he would be good for the American economy. He said:
"A new report shows that after Donald Trump was elected, the wealth of the world’s 10 richest people grew by more than $60 billion. The richest people immediately got richer, but don’t worry: I’m sure yours is coming soon, Earl."
Colin Jost also called out the president-elect's promise of a "golden age for America," stating, "Things turn golden when the sun is setting on them." However, the quips were not restricted to the Republicans, at one point, Jost stated:
"Don't you guys worry, I know democrats. They're gonna take a long look in the mirror, learn from their mistakes, and then run Biden again in 2028."
Jost also commented on several criticisms levied against Biden, suggesting the president's cognitive abilities were in decline due to his age. He joked that Biden and president-elect Trump would meet in the Oval Office next week, where the former would finish the sentence he started at the debate (which took place in June 2024 before Biden dropped out of the presidential race).
Meanwhile, Michael Che has not commented on the backlash.