"Saturday Night Live" faced criticism after its "Weekend Update" segment joked about the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, focusing on public reactions to the alleged gunman's appearance. Co-host Colin Jost remarked on the perceived American apathy towards the killing, juxtaposing it with comments about the suspect's looks. This sparked outrage on social media, with many expressing sympathy for Thompson's grieving family. Some users, however, echoed Jost's observation.
Co-host Michael Che contributed to the controversial segment with jokes about the suspect's interactions at a local hostel. This further fueled the negative response, with viewers labeling the humor "classless" and "disrespectful." Jost also targeted the NYPD's handling of the case, criticizing their response time and focus on the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. He further mocked their pursuit of the suspect, who reportedly fled the city by bus. While some found this humorous, others deemed the entire segment inappropriate.
"Saturday Night Live" has not yet responded to the criticism.
