When was the last time a Saturday Night Live host wore anything memorable? Typically, fashion choices are not the main draw of the sketch show, but host Don Cheadle changed that last night with two very memorable shirts.
First, Cheadle wore a t-shirt saying, “Protect Trans Kids” when introducing musical guest Gary Clark Jr.’s last song of the show. Clark’s music choice, too, was political; his song “This Land,” which Cheadle was introducing, poignantly and pointedly dissects his treatment as a Black man living in “Trump Country.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=KbOAY86deq0
Cheadle’s clothing choice comes as protections for trans people in the U.S. are eroding. Just last month, the Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender members of the military to go into effect, preventing many trans people from joining the military while lower courts review arguments.
Cheadle also wore his heart on his sleeve—or, rather, his sleeves, chest, and back—in a political hockey jersey during the closing credits. The jersey, red with the Russian acronym of the USSR on the front, had “45” on each sleeve, and read “Trump” on the back.
https://twitter.com/adamcbest/status/1097047337342504960
It was a more potent and subtle anti-Trump sentiment than Alec Baldwin’s impression, which made yet another appearance last night.
Of course, Twitter users got a kick out of both clothing choices.
https://twitter.com/allanbrocka/status/1097018477301231616
OH MY GOD HE WAS WEARING A SHIRT THAT SAID PROTECT TRANS KIDS, AS A TRANSWOMAN IN HER TWENTIES WHO HAS DAILY PROBLEMS WITH STRAIGHT BLACK MEN – I LOVE YOU @DonCheadle #ProtectTransKids #TransKids #SNL
— Lena🏳️🌈⁷ (@Shin_Cromartie) February 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/drdeblk/status/1097010059542814720
https://twitter.com/paramerikate/status/1097010945514065921
@DonCheadle Thank you so much! It’s important that my daughter and other trans kids like her see that they have support from people in all walks of life 👏🏻 #ProtectTransKids @nbcsnl
— Danielle (@fromRytoRylee) February 17, 2019
Lmaooooo. @DonCheadle rocking the #45 Trump Russia jersey on #SNL or as the inbred Trump's call it "S&L" pic.twitter.com/snFqbvaXZd
— Vasu Kulkarni (@Vasu) February 17, 2019
Yo, @DonCheadle gotta give up the plug on this hockey jersey he just rocked on @nbcsnl #SNL Now *that* is DRIP 💧 pic.twitter.com/MRD0veRy1f
— Crucifi❌io ちび好き (@Crucifixio) February 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/yourfuturexgirl/status/1097049357021458432
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