As “Saturday Night Live” prepares to launch its latest season, fans can expect the show’s trademark political satire the kind that has taken aim at global leaders from Barack Obama to Vladimir Putin. But this time, the stakes are higher.
With Donald Trump back in the White House for a second term, the cultural environment surrounding late-night comedy has shifted. Political jokes once brushed off as playful jabs are now provoking serious consequences, and free speech advocates are watching closely.
Kimmel Controversy Raises Free Speech Alarm
The fragile state of late-night comedy was put on full display last month when ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following a segment in which Kimmel mocked Trump’s reaction to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The move came shortly after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, publicly criticized the show during an interview with conservative media personality Benny Johnson. Carr suggested that ABC take disciplinary action and the network listened.
Soon, ABC affiliate Nexstar preempted the show indefinitely, and Sinclair followed suit, pulling the program from its stations. While Trump and several members of his administration celebrated the action, critics across the political spectrum sounded the alarm about rising censorship.
Many saw it as an affront to free speech and the long-standing tradition of late-night hosts satirizing political figures. In response, some Disney customers canceled their Disney+ subscriptions and even scrapped Disney theme park vacations, protesting what they viewed as corporate overreach into expression.
Corporate Culture Shaken by Political Backlash
The ripple effects from the Kimmel fallout didn’t stop at entertainment. Public relations professionals say that CEOs and business leaders are now actively avoiding media exposure, even on neutral topics, for fear of drawing negative attention from the White House.
Executives have reportedly become more cautious about internal emails, online posts, and public commentary, worried that a stray word could lead to backlash or regulatory scrutiny.
Although ABC and its affiliates later reinstated "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", the message was clear: political humor has become a potential liability even for industry veterans.
SNL Faces a Fraught Return
Now, as “SNL” prepares to return, its creators face a delicate balancing act. Will the show satirize Kirk’s assassination? Will it address the silencing of Kimmel or Trump’s evolving influence on the entertainment world?
The long-running NBC sketch show has never shied away from controversy. But this season arrives in a climate where even light-hearted comedy might trigger political retaliation.
Adding to the combustible mix, Bad Bunny the Puerto Rican global superstar is slated to host SNL’s premiere. He was recently announced as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, a decision that drew scorn from right-wing pundits and Trump loyalists.
Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Gig Sparks MAGA Outrage
Megyn Kelly, conservative commentator and former Fox News host, condemned the NFL’s choice to spotlight Bad Bunny. On her podcast, she called the artist's selection an act of defiance toward the MAGA base.
"You tell me whether this is an active middle finger to all of MAGA and the right wing by putting this guy, who likes to dress in women’s dresses, and who hates the United States so much he won’t come here because he’s worried about ICE raiding his concert, as our Super Bowl entertainment," Kelly said.
Bad Bunny, who has previously spoken out against Trump-era immigration policies, has performed primarily in Puerto Rico to avoid what he described as ICE-related risks in the mainland United States. His criticism of federal immigration enforcement and gender-fluid fashion choices have made him a cultural lightning rod.
Comedy at a Crossroads
NBC declined to comment on whether "SNL" plans to wade into any of these controversies. But after the Kimmel incident, even longtime fans of late-night comedy wonder whether network satire can survive in this politically charged environment.
With rookie cast members debuting and a high-profile guest host at the center of political debate, the season premiere of “SNL” may be less about punchlines and more about pushing boundaries.
Whether the show will lean into bold, unfiltered satire or tread cautiously around political landmines remains to be seen. But one thing is certain in Trump’s second term, even comedy has consequences.
