Michael Che jokes about murdering Charlie Kirk in his Netflix special

Michael Che appears during “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live” on May 2, 2026. (Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images)

“Saturday Night Live” “Weekend Update” co-anchor Michael Che joked about Charlie Kirk’s murder and repeatedly used the R-word when mocking President Donald Trump and his supporters in his new Netflix special, “Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota.”

The new stand-up special was recorded at the First Avenue concert venue in Minneapolis. Che opened the show by saying he felt so good he might get emotional.

“I feel like Erika Kirk on this stage. That’s no disrespect to the Kirks,” Che said.

Che said he didn’t know who Charlie Kirk was before the activist was killed, joking that he initially thought people were talking about the “Star Trek guy.”

ONE YEAR AFTER THE MURDER OF CHARLIE KIRK, SOME COMICS MAKE JOKES ABOUT HIS DEATH

Charlie Kirk tosses a “Make America Great Again” hat to the crowd at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking on his American Comeback Tour when he was shot and killed. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

“I was like, ‘What? Did they shoot Captain Kirk?'”

Che said he later watched the graphic video of Charlie Kirk’s assassination to better understand what happened, saying, “I wish I didn’t see that shit.”

“I don’t know if you saw,” he told his audience, “but it’s fucked up.”

Che said the best explanation he had heard for why Kirk was killed was that “in this country, conservative white heterosexual Christian men are being silenced.” He remembers having a debate on the issue “with this angry guy.”

“I know you shouldn’t use that word, but I do. … It’s because I still see them. I’ll stop saying it when I stop seeing it,” he said.

He further defended his use of the slur, saying, “Since we stopped using the word ‘r—–ed,’ r—–ed people have taken over the world. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”

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Michael Che performs on stage during Comic Relief Live 2025: A Benefit to Build Brighter Futures for Kids at Carnegie Hall in New York on December 10, 2025. (Getty Images for Comic Relief)

Che said that if people still used the R-word, Trump could never have become president.

“He just kept getting louder and louder. Now we can’t stop him. … I’ve watched these debates. They never know what to say to this guy. They don’t have the language. … ‘He’s not presidential.’ It’s like, ‘No, he’s a crazy guy.'”

Che said the Minneapolis audience would know exactly what he was talking about because every time he turns on the news, “Minnesota is fighting a bunch of bullshit.”

“No, it’s important to say it. R—–ed means regressive. A bunch of assholes trying to take away all our rights.”

Che also called Trump a “whisperer.”

“That’s all politics is these days. Just whispers.”

He mocked Trump’s ability to attract his supporters through red MAGA hats and simple messages, attributing the popularity of recognizable caps to the fact that “guys r—–love hats.”

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Michael Che attends the Netflix Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford live event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 13, 2025. (Getty Images)

The ‘SNL’ co-anchor said the president would have made a great kindergarten teacher because he knows how to talk to people who “don’t like to think too much.”

Che argued that Americans don’t take presidential politics seriously enough, suggesting the country should have a list of potential candidates years in advance.

“If this is the most important job in the free world, we still don’t know? Isn’t there a list?” he joked.

“Right now, ESPN has a list of the top 500 high school quarterbacks in the country. But every four years we end up in this damn ‘Would you rather’ thing.

“One n—– is 80 years old. The other n—– is 80 years old.”

Che then delved into personal topics about aging, drinking, relationships, sex and fatherhood, ending by imagining God as an absent parent.

“I think God loves us. I think he had us very young. He realized he still had a lot to do. ‘I need to get the hell out of here. Here, get this book. I’ll be right back.’ I haven’t seen him since.”

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Fox News Digital reached out to Michael Che for comment but did not immediately receive a response.