Michael Che Mocks Trump and Charlie Kirk in Netflix Special

Michael Che, co-anchor of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update, has drawn attention with a new Netflix stand-up special that targets President Donald Trump, his supporters and the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Taped at the First Avenue music venue in Minneapolis, the performance combines political commentary with provocative jokes about the assassination and the language used to describe political opponents.

The special, titled Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota, was released on Netflix, according to the source report published by Fox News Digital on October 24, 2026. Che also discusses presidential elections, media coverage, aging, relationships, drinking, sex and fatherhood.

Che opened his discussion of Kirk by saying he had not known who the activist was before his death. He joked that he initially confused the name with the Star Trek character Captain Kirk.

"What? They shot Captain Kirk?" Che said.

Che then described watching graphic footage of Kirk's assassination to understand the incident. He expressed regret about viewing the video and characterized the footage as disturbing.

"I wish I did not see that s---," Che said.

He also described the footage to the audience in blunt terms.

"I don't know if you saw," Che told the audience, "but it's f---ed up."

Che subsequently addressed explanations he had heard for Kirk's killing, including claims that conservative Christian men were being silenced in the United States. He used a derogatory term for people he considers politically regressive and defended his continued use of the slur during the routine.

"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," Che said.

He continued defending the language during the performance, linking its reduced use to what he portrayed as the political influence of people he was criticizing.

"Ever since we stopped using the word 'r-----ed,' r-----ed people have taken over the world. I don't think that s--- is a coincidence," Che said.

The comedian connected his criticism to Trump's political success, arguing that opponents struggled to respond effectively to the president during debates. He suggested that conventional criticism of Trump's presidential conduct failed to capture the point he wanted to make.

"He just kept getting stronger and stronger. Now, we can't stop him. ... I watched those debates.

They never know what the f--- to say to that guy. They don't got the language. ... 'He's unpresidential.' It's like, 'No, he's a r-----ed guy,'" Che said.

Che also directed his remarks toward political disputes in Minnesota, telling the local audience that the state's conflicts reflected a broader struggle over rights. He framed his repeated use of the slur as a reference to what he called regressive behavior.

"No, it's important to say it. R-----ed meaning regressive. Bunch of motherf---ers trying to take all our rights away," Che said.

He characterized Trump's political appeal as a form of communication tailored to supporters who respond to simplified messaging. Che also mocked the president's recognizable red campaign hats and suggested that his approach would suit a kindergarten classroom.

"That's all politics is these days. Just r----- whispering," Che said.

Che argued that Americans should approach presidential elections with more advance planning. He questioned why a contest for what he described as the most important job in the free world lacked a long-established list of potential candidates.

"If it's the most important job in the free world, we still don't know? There's no list?" Che said.

He compared the presidential selection process with sports rankings, pointing to the availability of lists identifying hundreds of high school quarterbacks.

"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 f---ed up 'Would You Rather.' One n----- is 80. The other n----- is 80-er," Che said.

Later in the special, Che moved away from political material to discuss personal subjects, including aging, alcohol, romantic relationships, sex and raising children. He ended the performance with a joke portraying God as an absent parent who left humanity behind while pursuing other experiences.

"I think God loves us. I think he just had us at a very young age. He realized he had more living to do. 'I gotta get the f--- out of here.

Here, take this book. I'll be right back.' I ain't seen him since," Che said.

Fox News Digital said it contacted Che for comment about the special but had not received a response at the time of publication.