Illinois Rep. Luis Gutierrez is joining the mounting effort to block Donald Trump from returning to NBC on Nov. 7 as the host of Lorne Michael’s “Saturday Night Live.”
The Democratic congressman, who’s an enthusiastic supporter of immigration reform, told a Canadian radio program Tuesday that NBC’s decision to invite Trump to host the award-winning comedy show has left him very confused.
“I am perplexed, astonished, bewildered, that NBCUniversal-Comcast would decide to allow him to host the program,” Gutierrez said, while noting that “SNL” does not currently have any Hispanic cast members.
“Did I miss something? Did I miss an apology?” he added.
Gutierrez was among the several Latino leaders who blasted Trump for comments he made during his presidential announcement about some illegal immigrants being “rapists” and “murderers.”
On Tuesday, he suggested that “SNL’s” Canadian-born executive producer, Lorne Michaels, would not have invited Trump to host the show had he “said that Canadians come here as murderers, rapists and drug dealers.”
“Lorne Michaels is from Canada. He’s an immigrant to the United States of America. He should know better,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez delivered a scathing speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives last week directed at the network that used to employ Trump as host of “The Apprentice.”
“Installing Trump as ‘SNL’ host may be good for ratings, but it is a bigger deal than a cameo or a ‘Tonight Show’ guest [appearance]. And I’m calling you out,” Gutierrez said to NBC as he stood next to a poster showing the hashtag #RacismIsntFunny.
NBC has yet to respond to requests that Trump be blocked from hosting ‘SNL.’
