SNL’s Michael Che Slams SNAP Freeze Over Impact on Black Families, He Keeps Seeing ‘Racist Videos’ Celebrating It
“Saturday Night Live” star Michael Che has publicly criticized the freeze on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which began Saturday due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Che took to Instagram to express his frustration, highlighting the broader social impact of the halt.
“This SNAP freeze is really f**** up,” Che wrote. He also called out what he described as racist reactions online, saying he keeps seeing videos “celebrating (mostly black) families not being able to buy groceries.”
Che added that society often judges poor Black families more harshly for using assistance programs, while ignoring how others exploit systems for personal gain. “This country is built on greedy mother***** taking shortcuts and gaming the system to their benefit, but for some reason, when poor people find a way to turn a nickel into a dime, they’re judged more severely, especially Blacks,” he said.
Che reflected on his own experiences growing up relying on food assistance. “I [know] the hustle is to hate each other here so we can fight in the comments and up our engagements, but let’s 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 won’t see me pay with stamps. That s*** ain’t as glamorous as it sounds. I promise.”
The SNAP freeze stems from the government shutdown that began on October 1, after lawmakers failed to pass a funding bill. Republicans in the Senate are currently short 60 votes to pass the proposed budget, leaving Democrats a chance to negotiate on key issues.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had previously announced that SNAP benefits would be halted starting November 1. However, two federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled that contingency funds must be used to continue paying at least part of the benefits. The Trump administration has until Monday to respond to the court rulings.
Michael Che’s comments highlight how the shutdown and the SNAP freeze are affecting vulnerable communities, particularly Black families who rely on these benefits for daily needs. His post emphasizes both the personal and social consequences of halting the program.
Che raises an important point about how society treats those who rely on government assistance. The SNAP freeze affects millions of Americans, and public attention is crucial to ensure policymakers understand its real-world consequences. What do you think about the SNAP freeze and Che’s comments? Share your thoughts in the comments.
