The Congressional Hispanic Caucus is calling on Saturday Night Live to disinvite GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump from hosting the show this weekend.
“[T]he Congressional Hispanic Caucus calls upon NBCUniversal, Broadway Video, and SNL Executive Producer Lorne Michaels to disinvite Mr. Trump from hosting Saturday Night Live because racism is not funny,” the caucus’ statement of opposition reads.
The 26-member caucus — made up entirely of Democrats and led by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) — has previously denounced Trump for comments he made regarding illegal immigrants from Mexico early in his campaign for president.
“It’s this kind of incendiary rhetoric which can lead to acts of violence,” Sánchez said in June on behalf of the caucus. “The most recent shooting in Charleston, South Carolina and the fatal stabbing of an Ecuadorian immigrant in Suffolk County, New York are examples of the incendiary acts that can result from hateful speech.”
This time the body charges Trump’s comments should disqualify him from hosting a comedy program because “Mr. Trump’s racist remarks and his continued rhetoric demonizing Latinos and immigrants has created fear within these communities around the country.”
Trump and the billionaire businessman’s invitation to host SNL has been a source of particular agitation for Democratic lawmakers.
Caucus member Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) has taken to the floor of the house on numerous occasions in recent months to denounce Trump and call on SNL to “Dump Trump.” Gutiérrez cheered the CHC’s statement of opposition.
“When a TV personality calls Mexicans and Latinos criminals and rapists, a corporate network should not give him 90-minutes of free air time in an entertainment venue without his first apologizing to the American people,” Gutiérrez said.
“Did I miss an apology? Did Trump do what Paula Deen or any other TV personality has to do after they make racist comments in public in order to get back on the air?” he added.
Trump is scheduled to host SNL this Saturday.