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Ripley Today
By the People, for the People
SNL Audience Cheers Joke About Potential Trump Assassination
The live audience loudly applauded a reference to President Lincoln's assassination during a performance.
Apr. 5, 2026 at 3:49pm
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During a recent 'Saturday Night Live' episode, the live audience cheered and applauded after a 'Weekend Update' host made an apparent reference to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, suggesting a similar fate could befall former President Donald Trump while attending a performance at the Kennedy Center.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions and divisiveness in the country, with some audiences seemingly approving of or finding humor in the prospect of political violence against elected officials.
The details
The 'SNL' host, Michael Che, made the remark while discussing Trump's attendance at the opening night of the musical 'Chicago' at the Kennedy Center. Che asked, 'What's the worst that could happen?' prompting loud cheers and applause from the audience. Trump has survived two previous assassination attempts during his 2024 presidential campaign.
- On April 4, 2026, former President Donald Trump attended the opening night of 'Chicago' at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
- On April 5, 2026, the 'Weekend Update' segment of 'Saturday Night Live' aired, featuring the controversial joke about Trump's attendance at the musical.
The players
Michael Che
The 'Weekend Update' host on 'Saturday Night Live' who made the controversial joke about Trump's attendance at the 'Chicago' musical.
Donald Trump
The former President of the United States who attended the opening night of the 'Chicago' musical at the Kennedy Center, where the 'SNL' audience cheered a joke about the possibility of his assassination.
What they’re saying
“'President Trump attended the opening night of 'Chicago' at the Kennedy Center, and I think that's cool that the President is going to the theater. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?'”
— Michael Che, 'Weekend Update' host, 'Saturday Night Live'
The takeaway
This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions and divisiveness in the country, with some audiences seemingly approving of or finding humor in the prospect of political violence against elected officials. It raises concerns about the normalization of such rhetoric and the potential for it to incite further polarization and unrest.
