Timothee Chalamet is facing criticism for a joke he made about late President Jimmy Carter during an appearance. Saturday Night Live. The joke, which occurred during an exercise-based sketch, was dismissed by some viewers as “disrespectful” and “too soon”.
In the skit, Chalamet portrays bungee instructor Nathaniel Latrine, putting class participants through intense exercises. At one point, he shouted, “Jimmy Carter!” Which causes him and the other characters to fall lifeless, hanging from their bungee cords. While the live audience gasped, many viewers at home found the joke crude.
Critics took to social media to express their displeasure. “That Jimmy Carter line was ridiculous. Totally disrespectful and out of line,” one user posted on X, formerly Twitter. Others echoed similar sentiments, with one writing, “Too soon… I hope her family doesn’t see this.”
The response follows Carter’s recent death on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100 after two years in hospice care. The 39th president’s funeral was attended by notable attendees including former President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Bill Clinton.
While some viewers enjoyed the sketch before the controversial line, others noted that the joke overshadowed Chalamet’s performance. Representative for SNL The response has not commented.
Chalamet, 29, also poked fun at herself during the episode, poking fun at her past awards show losses. After the broadcast, he attended an afterparty in New York City with his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner. However, the Jimmy Carter joke has since sparked an ongoing debate over the limits of comedy and timing.
