Don Cheadle Makes Powerful Political Statement as 'Saturday Night Live' Host
Don Cheadle took center stage as the host ofSaturday Night Live over the weekend, and between the hilarious (and frequently bizarre) sketches, the actor used his platform to take a subtle yet powerful political stance.
Before the night's impressive musical guest, blues-rock musician Gary Clark Jr., took the stage for his second set of the episode, Cheadle stood in the audience to introduce the performance.
Having changed out of his costume from the previous sketch during the commercial break, Cheadle rocked a simple black shirt with white letters that read "Protect Trans Kids."
God bless Don Cheadle. Nothing but respect for MY Rhodey #SNL#ProtectTransKidspic.twitter.com/KtOiJXzotQ
— Rachel || 💖💜💙 (@whydyouhave2BOO) February 17, 2019
He didn't call attention to the shirt directly, he just made sure to stand with his arms behind his back to allow the important message came across loud and clear before the musical number.
Many viewers on Twitter couldn't contain their love and appreciation for the actor's display of support for the trans community, thanking both Cheadle and SNL.
Thank you @DonCheadle#SNL#translivesmatter#queer@TrevorProjectpic.twitter.com/ObjxFApJRv
— CarolAnn- Resistor (@SasswithCas) February 17, 2019
Woah! Juat happened on #SNL ! I didn't know @DonCheadle before now, but he's got a new fan now!
Thank you dude!#transgender#protecttranskids#saturdaynightlivepic.twitter.com/ZDMvsbpnkT— Wesley The Mischievous Gryffindor (@10isGryffindor) February 17, 2019
@nbcsnl thanks for choosing @DonCheadle to host tonight. This is an amazing activist. And he is killing his skits, too! #SNLpic.twitter.com/MECqModcm5
— Jasmine PenguinPatronus (@jasjanae) February 17, 2019
@DonCheadle on @nbcsnl wearing a T-shirt that says, “Protect Trans Kids.” My hero! #WontBeErased
— Laura Choi (@lauraluchoi) February 17, 2019
Cheadle has been a longtime political activist, working with philanthropic organizations to combat genocide and climate change and a champion for many other progressive social initiatives. It's nice to see he didn't let his public platform as SNL host go wasted.
Saturday Night Live airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET, 8:30 p.m. PT on NBC.
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