Dave Chappelle Reflects on SNL's Emotional Response to Trump's 2016 Victory and His Iconic Monologue

Following Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the 2016 presidential election, Dave Chappelle noted that finding humor backstage at “Saturday Night Live” became a challenging task. The comedian hosted the iconic show on November 12, shortly after Trump’s win, and in a recent “Actors on Actors” discussion with Mo Amer, he reminisced about that fateful day. “When they announced Trump as the winner, it extinguished the energy in the writers’ room,” Chappelle stated. His observation highlighted the emotional turmoil experienced by the staff, describing their reaction as reminiscent of a profound collective grief. During Chappelle's monologue, he candidly expressed his surprise at Trump’s electoral success, remarking, “America has elected an internet troll as our president.” The reactions this performance provoked were varied, with some noting the serious tone struck by the show amidst its comedic roots. Over the years, Chappelle has hosted “SNL” multiple times but declined an invitation for a post-election episode in 2024, allowing Bill Burr to take his place.