Donald Trump may claim to be the healthiest and most hard-working president (works the most hours! [1]) in American history but while we know those are obvious lies, he can certainly claim the title of most thin-skinned president ever.
Somehow our hard-working president has time to golf constantly [2] and to watch endless hours of cable TV, even tuning in religiously to a program he claims to hate: Saturday Night Live.
As such, the morning-after-SNL freakout is becoming a staple of his administration. And Sunday morning was no different.
After Saturday’s show featured another cold open [3] with Alec Baldwin portraying the president, Trump took to Twitter to rage against SNL and “Fake News NBC!” but went beyond his professed dislike of the program to imply that a comedy show should face “retribution” for, uh, doing comedy.
Nothing funny about tired Saturday Night Live on Fake News NBC! Question is, how do the Networks get away with these total Republican hit jobs without retribution? Likewise for many other shows? Very unfair and should be looked into. This is the real Collusion!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2019 [4]
NO COLLUSION!
While Trump’s toddler tantrums are entertaining in their absurdity, people were quick to point out the chilling implication of a president who wants to silence comedians and the press.
Dear @realDonaldTrump [5]: One thing that makes America great is that the people can laugh at you without retribution. The First Amendment allows Saturday Night Live to make fun of you again, and again, and again. @nbcsnl [6]
You should read the Constitution, or get briefed on it. https://t.co/4QxoMrLcmI [7]
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 17, 2019 [8]
A State of Emergency for the First Amendment: The President of the United States has declared a comedy show should be "looked into" for making fun of him, and raised the possibility of "retribution." Let's just let that sink in for a moment, America. https://t.co/ADJSYPwqz3 [9]
— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) February 17, 2019 [10]
LBJ's 11/9/68 letter to Smothers Brothers after they satirized him on TV:
“It is part of the price of leadership of this great & free nation to be the target of clever satirists. You have given the gift of laughter to our people. May we never grow so somber or self-important…" https://t.co/lqt7PUhZEA [11]
— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) February 17, 2019 [12]
You want to… investigate a TV show that you've hosted because you don't like how they parody you and your party? This is what you're focused on during your "national emergency?" Oh. https://t.co/Jkv3V3J1PJ [13]
— Bärí A. Williams (@BariAWilliams) February 17, 2019 [14]
You are a grown man. A GROWN MAN! A FATHER AND GRANDFATHER. Please start focusing on IMPORTANT THINGS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR JOB, AND STOP WORRYING ABOUT WHAT THE DRAMA CLUB IS DOING, REGINA!!!! Ffs you are so embarrassing. Smoke some weed, bruh! https://t.co/ja79xHduJG [15]
— krispy (@KrispyTacoBelle) February 17, 2019 [16]
Congrats to the writers at SNL. There's no better sign that you hit your target than the president absurdly accusing you of collusion and saying you should be investigated. https://t.co/runbqwVbvP [17]
— Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) February 17, 2019 [18]
Lmao didn't Obama laugh at, and join in when they made fun of him on SNL? https://t.co/KsaVt1aq7K [19]
— Josh Kobra (@JKowba) February 17, 2019 [20]