Michael Che is using his platform to address the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) cutoffs that went into effect Saturday due to the government shutdown.
The Saturday Night Live cast member took to Instagram on Saturday, where he wrote that he’s seen videos across social media of people “celebrating (mostly black) families not being able to buy groceries.”
“This snap freeze is really fucked up,” Che started. “And I keep seeing a lotta racist videos celebrating (mostly black) families not being able to buy groceries.. there’s this weird idea that since some people have taken advantage of welfare benefits in the hood, NOBODY should receive help, at all..?”
Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the Trump administration planned to halt SNAP payments, however, a judge ruled that the administration has to continue paying for the program despite the shutdown with emergency reserve funds. Despite the ruling, payouts have still been postponed due to the shutdown.
The “Weekend Update” segment co-host wrote that the United States is “built on greedy motherfuckers taking shortcuts and gaming the system to their benefit, but for some reason, when poor people find a way to turn nickel into a dime, they’re judged more severely, especially Blacks.”
He then called on the public to come together instead of against one another for a common cause: “I kno [sic] the whole hustle is to hate each other here so we can fight in the comments and up our engagements.. but lets draw the line at feeding the poor.”
“I grew up on free cheese and powdered milk and waiting for your friends to leave the store so they wont see me pay with stamps,” he wrote. “That shit aint as glamorous as it sounds. I promise.”
Earlier this year, Hollywood stars signed an open letter opposing the Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which outlines proposed cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. Celebrities including Scarlett Johansson, Matt Damon, Kristin Chenoweth and more asked Congress “to reject cuts to these vital programs that help millions put food on their tables and provide access to health care” in the letter.
Che’s Instagram post comes just ahead of Miles Teller’s hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live.
