- Chappelle encouraged Trump to learn from the example of the late Jimmy Carter
- He told Trump to “do better next time”
- The monologue also addressed the Los Angeles fires and the ceasefire in Palestine
Dave Chappelle addressed Donald Trump directly in his Saturday Night Live opening monologue ahead of the President-elect’s inauguration.
Chappelle hosted Saturday Night Live for the fourth time since 2016 last night (January 19) and his appearances have often coincided with political events. His previous stints have all aired the same week as an election, but his latest stint arrived just 48 hours before Trump is sworn in again.
The comedian noted that the flags are currently at half staff due to the death of Jimmy Carter, but used that to make a point about the two contrasting presidents.
What did Dave Chappelle say about Trump?
“Here’s the thing: On Monday, Donald Trump’s coming back,” Chappelle began (as transcribed by Rolling Stone). “He’ll be the 47th president. He’s done it again. And all the flags will be half staff because Jimmy Carter died. Jimmy Carter – people go back and forth and say he was a bad president or a good president. I’m not qualified to speak on that. But I’ll tell you this: I was in the Middle East years ago after I quit my show. I was trying to find out what I wanted to do with my life.
“While I was there, Jimmy Carter flew to Israel. So everybody in the region was talking about a former American president being in the Middle East. And while he was in Israel, a book of his was released, and its title was very controversial in Israel. And the title of the book was ‘Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid.’”
The speech continued: “People were very mad in Israel. There were a lot of mean stories that came out in the paper. Some people were supportive. While he was there, Jimmy Carter said, ‘I want to go to the Palestinian territory’, and the Israeli government said, ‘It’s too dangerous, and if you go, we cannot protect you.’ And then Jimmy Carter went anyway.
“I will never forget the images of a former American president walking with little to no security while thousands of Palestinians were cheering him on. When I saw that picture, it brought tears to my eyes. I said, I don’t know if that’s a good president, but that right there, I am sure, is a great man.
“It made me feel very proud. The presidency is no place for petty people. So, Donald Trump, I know you watch the show. Man, remember: Whether people voted for you or not, they’re all counting on you. Whether they like you or not, they’re all counting on you. The whole world is counting on you.
“I mean this when I say this: Good luck. Please, do better next time. Please, all of us: Do better next time. Do not forget your humanity, and please have empathy for displaced people, whether they’re in the Palisades or Palestine.”
When is Trump taking office?
Read more: When does Donald Trump take office?
Trump will be back in the White House from January 20. He will be inaugurated for the second time in Washington DC, officially becoming the 47th President of the United States.
Carrie Underwood and Village People are set to perform at the inauguration.
