Michael Che faces backlash over stand up jokes about Charlie Kirk

Saturday Night Live Weekend Update co-anchor Michael Che opened his new Netflix special, Shot in Minnesota, with jokes addressing the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Fox News reported that the stand-up special was recorded at the First Avenue music venue in Minneapolis. During the opening, Che made reference to Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, while also using derogatory terms to mock President Donald Trump and his supporters. [1]

The jokes come as legal proceedings surrounding Kirk's death continue in court. PBS NewsHour, Fox News, and Reuters reported that a Utah District Court judge recently held a hearing for Tyler Robinson, the Utah man accused of assassinating Kirk, but ended the session without setting a trial date. The Telegraph reported that Donald Trump criticized the delays, stating that the judge was desecrating Kirk's memory by prolonging the process. [2][3][4]

Defense attorneys for Robinson suggested delaying the capital murder trial until 2029, arguing that they require several years to properly prepare their case. According to PBS NewsHour and ABC News, lawyers representing Erika Kirk opposed the long timeline and called the proposal absurd, urging the court to begin the trial much sooner. [2][4]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Kirk died in September 2025. Prosecutors have proposed starting the murder trial on October 4, 2027, a timeline supported by Erika Kirk in legal filings requesting a speedy trial. [5]