### Dave Chappelle Reflects on Controversial Trump Comments from 2016 SNL Monologue

Dave Chappelle recently revisited his memorable Saturday Night Live monologue from 2016, where he controversially stated he would "give Trump a chance." In a new "Actors on Actors" interview for Variety, the comedian reflected on the Emmy-nominated performance and considered how the comments have aged over the past eight years.

Reflecting on the monologue, Chappelle shared, "I remember it fondly," yet he was specifically asked about his remarks suggesting leniency towards Trump. "Oh, I remember that part," he remarked. "That's what it felt like in that moment. Whether it ages well or not, I don't get mad if I look at a picture because it's not today. That's what it was at that time. You might look at an old set and cringe, but you could just cringe because of how you were at that time," Chappelle explained.

Chappelle appeared on SNL right after the 2016 presidential election, a role he has assumed in subsequent election cycles. During that episode, he commented, "America's done it. We've actually elected an internet troll as our president," and later added, "I'm wishing Donald Trump luck, and I'm going to give him a chance. And we, the historically disenfranchised, demand that he give us one, too."

Only months after his SNL appearance, Chappelle walked back his comments on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, stating, "It's not like I wanted to give him a chance that night." He acknowledged Trump as a "polarizing dude," humorously comparing him to "a bad DJ at a good party." Chappelle pointed out that Trump's victory enabled many white Americans to experience an Election Night similar to what many Black Americans go through every cycle.

That particular SNL episode also featured an Election Night sketch with Chris Rock, where the comedians humorously reacted to their characters' white counterparts labeling Trump's win as "the most shameful thing America has ever done."

Though he found rewatching the monologue partly cringeworthy, Chappelle has not seen it in some time. However, he recalled a more challenging hosting experience when Joe Biden was elected in 2020. "We didn't know he was going to be president until Saturday morning. So I had a set for if Trump won, and I had a set for if Biden won," Chappelle said, noting the high pressure of live television.

Chappelle concluded with a reflection on his performances, "You never do as good as you think you're going to do, but it's never that bad."