Donald Trump Tried To Use The Department Of Justice On SNL

Trump supposedly felt that the comedy skits on shows like SNL effectively were tantamount to illegal campaign contributions. For political ads the candidates have to use part of their campaign funds to air those commercials, but Trump feels the comedians who mocked him were basically giving free endorsements to his Democratic rivals.

In a report about Trump’s desire to go after SNL and other comedians, Rolling Stone said, “As president, Trump briefly attempted to get Justice officials to twist campaign finance laws and the federal equal-time rule to declare that anti-Trump material broadcast by Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert, and others was somehow illegal.”

The report continues in describing Trump’s renewed vendetta against SNL and other comedians, saying, “During his 2024 campaign, according to a source with direct knowledge, Trump has raised this topic again, venting about the need to punish late-night comedians for giving “illegal” campaign contributions to the Democratic Party — in the form of jokes and on-air satire.”

Donald Trump first raised the issue during his first term as President, but evidently, he soon moved on to other matters. However, it is now being said that since he is running for reelection, the matter has returned to the forefront for him in 2024. Some are now fearful that if Trump does indeed win, that he may follow through on his threats and make satire and parody like the form SNL and Colbert do into illegal acts against political figures.

Parody and satire protections have been pretty well protected in the United States, falling under free speech for ordinary people to be able to criticize and voice their opinions about public figures. Trump has been a regular target on SNL and other late-night comedy shows, and some feel his indignation stems less from feeling such behavior is illegal and more that he simply hates being mocked.

Regardless, comedians of all stripes have made frequent routines out of taking jabs at political figures of all party denominations. Plenty of conservative comedians have mocked the likes of Obama, Biden, and Kamala Harris. So, while Donald Trump might not see much humor in it, he is certainly not the only one who has jokes directed at him from shows like SNL.

Regardless of how Donald Trump feels about the comedy stylings of shows like Kimmel and SNL, he is not currently in a position to do anything to act on it. Though it is assuredly a small matter in comparison to the many important issues being debated in this year’s election, it does appear the fate of such shows could be another matter decided in the polls this year.

It should be noted that when Trump was President years ago and first raised this issue, that the Department of Justice was not interested in pursuing it. If Trump were to win again this year, it is unclear how much time and resources he would have to devote to going after SNL. Many critics feel a president should have the well-being of the country as the top priority but worry that Trump would use having a second term as an opportunity to go on a revenge tour against his enemies.

Source: Rolling Stone