Stefan
Thought it’s been on for decades, as the only national comedy show that’s broadcast live, SNL still manages to make headlines on a regular basis.
While the quality inevitably varies due to how quickly a show gets put together SNL’s timelines allows it to respond to news faster than anyone else around (besides late night talk shows) and, more importantly, to needle those in power in real time.
Being live also means that surprises can happen, like the famous moment in which Sinéad O’Connor tore up a picture of the pope to protest the misdeeds of the Catholic Church.
Actor Don Cheadle used his appearance on SNL this weekend to make a few statements of his own and he chose to do so with his clothing, wearing a t-shirt that read “PROTECT TRANS KIDS” while introducing the musical act, and closing the show while wearing a Soviet hockey jersey with “TRUMP” on the back, a reference to Trump’s many suspicious Russia ties.
The actor was applauded for taking a stand to protect the vulnerable and calling out the powerful at the same time.
I have always been a fan of @DonCheadle but him wearing a protect trans youth T-shirt & Soviet Union hockey jersey w/ “Trump” & “45” on the back on @nbcsnl have now put me in the super fan category. Subtle, Masterful yet Effective. #Bravo pic.twitter.com/3R6qxZHXu8
— Karamo Brown (@Karamo) February 17, 2019
don cheadle is wearing a shirt that says "protect trans kids."
i seriously love this man.
— fooler initiative (@metroadlib) February 17, 2019
Hey @DonCheadle, as a trans woman, I can't emphasize enough how much it means to see you do this on SNL. Thank you for standing strong with trans children. It means the world. <3 https://t.co/MrsAyDNEso
— Charlotte Clymer?️? (@cmclymer) February 17, 2019
PROTECT TRANS KIDS
When heroes like @DonCheadle use their platform to acknowledge the humanity of (and the unfair discrimination against) trans kids,
lives are saved
It’s that simple?? https://t.co/NZr703bnOe— jeffrey marsh (@thejeffreymarsh) February 17, 2019
God bless Don Cheadle. Nothing but respect for MY Rhodey #SNL #ProtectTransKids pic.twitter.com/KtOiJXzotQ
— Rachel || ??? (@whydyouhave2BOO) February 17, 2019
Ditto! Thank you @DonCheadle. You rock! https://t.co/ezaBLK1WcV
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) February 17, 2019
Fuck. Yes. @DonCheadle, you’re a god damn saint and I love you forever.
– Signed, someone who wishes she had people standing up for her when she was a kid. pic.twitter.com/qirjWLKzj1
— Jamie Neal (@TheJamieNeal) February 17, 2019
Not only did @DonCheadle literally CRUSH IT last night, but he’s never once put aside his beliefs or values because it’s “safe”. He’s truly a warrior of the people and the best. Also watch last nights SNL! https://t.co/zy3ZsJqCtr
— Yassir Lester (@Yassir_Lester) February 17, 2019
Don Cheadle is AWESOME
Not only did he wear a "Protect Trans Kids" shirt on SNL, but he also wore a CCCP Hockey Jersey with "Trump #45" on the back.
For those unaware. CCCP is a (Союз Советских Социалистических Республик) or Russian for Soviet Unionpic.twitter.com/1ExdtUmzhQ
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) February 17, 2019
Do you see this face?
DO YOU SEE THIS FACE?
This is his GAME face.
This is “Siguele, cabron!”
This is “You come for my kids, here I am.”
This is me.
God bless you, @DonCheadle #ProtectTransKids pic.twitter.com/dGyG4iQ5gH— ???? (@Lazulioness) February 17, 2019
In case there was ever any doubt that @DonCheadle is a superhero. This is excellent and will mean so much to so many. ? https://t.co/XFzch1KhVK
— Mae Martin (@TheMaeMartin) February 17, 2019
As the mother of a trans kid, I felt hope for the first time in… about 2 years. Your advocacy and use of your platform has touched me. Thank you!
— Marnie Spiegel (@MarnieSpiegel) February 17, 2019
Thank you, @DonCheadle. #SNL pic.twitter.com/AsTXXzyJVU
— April (@ReignOfApril) February 17, 2019
And @DonCheadle is the hero we need. https://t.co/qsKyjvnD4M
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) February 17, 2019
Now watch Cheadle have a highly unusual bar fight with Beck Bennett in a funny sketch from Saturday’s show.
h/t: Huffington Post