Don Cheadle hosted Saturday Night Live last night but the most memorable moment may not have been one of the skits.
When the actor introduced musical act Gary Clark Jr.’s second number, he was wearing a t-shirt with the phrase “Protect Trans Kids” boldly printed across the front.
Though the episode some political mockery in the form of Alec Baldwin’s President Trump, Cheadle himself didn’t take part in any. Perhaps because he’s known for being outspoken against the current administration on his Twitter account already.
But his fashion statements said plenty. After the pro-trans slogan was broadcast, he threw on a Soviet Union hockey jersey with the name “Trump” written on the back for the last moments of the show — a bright red unmissable message when everyone else on stage was dressed in muted colors.
Viewers took to Twitter to express their gratefulness at seeing an ally make such a simple but meaningful gesture in support of the transgender community.
\u201cPROTECT TRANS KIDS\nWhen heroes like @DonCheadle use their platform to acknowledge the humanity of (and the unfair discrimination against) trans kids,\nlives are saved\nIt\u2019s that simple\ud83d\udc9b\ud83c\udf08\u201d— jeffrey marsh (@jeffrey marsh) 1550412581
\u201c@cmclymer @DonCheadle As the mother of a trans kid, I felt hope for the first time in... about 2 years. Your advocacy and use of your platform has touched me. Thank you!\u201d— Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1550390326
\u201cI have always been a fan of @DonCheadle but him wearing a protect trans youth T-shirt & Soviet Union hockey jersey w/ \u201cTrump\u201d & \u201c45\u201d on the back on @nbcsnl have now put me in the super fan category. Subtle, Masterful yet Effective. #Bravo\u201d— Karamo (@Karamo) 1550410771
\u201cFuck. Yes. \n\n@DonCheadle, you\u2019re a god damn saint and I love you forever. \n\n- Signed, someone who wishes she had people standing up for her when she was a kid.\u201d— Jamie Neal (@Jamie Neal) 1550387957
\u201cHey @DonCheadle, as a trans woman, I can't emphasize enough how much it means to see you do this on SNL. Thank you for standing strong with trans children. It means the world. <3\u201d— Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Charlotte Clymer \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1550390326
\u201cTFW you wake up to 10,000 texts that absolute legend @DonCheadle made an incredible statement on @nbcsnl last night. And also wore a Sleeping Giants hat!!!\n\nThank you, Mr. Cheadle, for all of your support.\u201d— Sleeping Giants (@Sleeping Giants) 1550418605
Cheadle himself responded to the comments on social media this morning.
And of course, Trump weighed in on the various moments mocking him last night, once again proving he has nothing more important to do than watch SNL and cry.
None— Ollie Thorpe (@Ollie Thorpe) 1550408264
Yeah...we’ll take the Don with a message of love and support for a marginalized group over that one any day, thank you very much!
