Watch: 'SNL' Faces Backlash for Michael Che's Trans Military Remark
During "The Weekend Update" segment on the latest episode of "Saturday Night Live," coanchor Michael Che reported on President Joe Biden lifting the Trump-era transgender military ban, making a remark that many people on social media are calling transphobic, BuzzFeed reports.
"President Biden signed an executive order repealing Trump's ban on transgender people from serving in the military. It's good news, except Biden is calling the policy, 'Don't ask, don't tuck,'" Che said, referring to President Bill Clinton's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy, which barred gay men and women from openly serving in the military.
This isn't the first time Che has come under fire for remarks about trans people. Back in 2019, it was reported that Che and "SNL" were hit with a backlash for a crack he made about Caitlyn Jenner. During that segment, Che rails against Kanye West and the release of his Christian-inspired gospel album "Jesus is King."
"At first, I thought Kanye was losing his mind, and now I feel like he's fine. He's just turning into an old white lady," Che said. "I mean, he used to be, like, one of the coolest black dudes on earth. Now he's showing up to events in sweatpants and orthopedic sneakers, listening to Kenny G and trying to get black people to like Trump. It's like, how long before this guy changes his name to Kathy?"
After the audience laughed, Che mentioned Jenner, who was married to Kris Jenner — Kanye's mother-in-law and Kim Kardashian West's mother.
"Now, you might think that I'm crazy, but about five years ago, there was a fella named Bruce Jenner, and he moved to Calabasas..." Che said as "Weekend Update" and "SNL" writer Colin Jost giggled.
It didn't take long before people on social media took issue with Che's latest remark. Check out some of the reactions below and watch the clip, also below.