Michael Che kicked off another season of hosting “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live” with his most caustic diatribe yet against President Donald Trump over his response to the Puerto Rico disaster, and it included a term that has some people rankled.
During his rant, Che called the president a “bitch” and a “cheap cracker,” accusing him of not devoting himself to providing relief for the island territory the way he did for Texas and Florida in the wake of their respective disaster earlier this year because of racial bias.
“This isn’t that complicated, man. It’s hurricane relief. These people need help,” Che said. “You just did this for white people, twice. Do the same thing. Go tell Melania to put on her flood heels, get some bottled water, some food. Pack up some extra Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl T-shirts. And write them a check with our money, you cheap cracker.”
Watch Che’s entire tirade below.
This is what I’m talking about… Michael Che is on ??”? ??”? ??”? tonight!!! ??’???’???’?#SNLPremiere #SNL pic.twitter.com/hdgPeU9IS3
— Matt Leeds (@Mleeds2048) October 1, 2017
“SNL,” which has become known for earning the ire of Trump and his supporters over the past two years, took another round of fire from conservatives over perceived double standards.
Name calling from the left is allowed. It is disguised as entertainment & swallowed like dessert while they all pat themselves on the back
– G. (@13gg13) October 1, 2017
To all liberals, if ur not mad because Michael Che from SNL called TRUMP a “cheap cracker”, then I don’t want to hear about Trump’s comments
– Chris G. (@chrisgodel09) October 1, 2017
SNL’s Michael Che calls Trump a bitch and a “cheap cracker”. Our President. CRACKER is a racist term. IS this happening? This is not okay.
– LindaJ11 (@LindaLJ11) October 1, 2017
Michael Che – POTUS is a “bitch”, “cheap cracker”. Where is the racist label, call for firing, MSM outrage, & demand he never work again?
– Brad Z (@zozknows) October 1, 2017
He calls Trump a “cheap cracker.” On national TV.
Would a comedian still have a job if he called Obama a “nigger?” https://t.co/g6d2FZ9h1X
– Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 1, 2017
But Huffington Post contributor Yashar Ali offered a retort, saying that while he doesn’t like the use of the term, “cracker,” it is not comparable to racial slurs used against African-Americans.
1. It’s not a partisan statement to say it’s inappropriate for you to use the n-word.
2. To equate the n-word with “cracker” is not only offensive it’s just plain inaccurate.
3. You could have made your point without using the n-word..that’s what this is about. https://t.co/9QyqEx3tjE
– Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) October 1, 2017
I don’t like use of “cracker”..just as I don’t like it when people say “white trash” but there is no equivalent between those and the n-word https://t.co/pVPDteIvaY
– Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) October 1, 2017