Social media erupted in outrage after Timothée Chalamet’s recent Saturday Night Live appearance featured a controversial joke about the late President Jimmy Carter. The 28-year-old actor, known for his roles in “Wonka” and “Dune,” found himself in hot water over a skit that many viewers felt crossed the line between comedy and disrespect.

The bungee jumping skit that sparked controversy

During his SNL hosting gig, Chalamet played the role of an eccentric bungee jumping instructor leading a class through various aerial moves. The sketch started innocently enough, with Chalamet’s character demonstrating typical bungee positions like flying and swimming. However, things took a sharp turn when he introduced a move called “The Jimmy Carter.”

The controversial moment came when Chalamet shouted “Jimmy Carter!” prompting the entire class to suddenly drop and hang lifelessly from their bungee cords. The studio audience’s reaction was immediate, with audible gasps echoing throughout the studio, signaling that many felt the joke had gone too far.

Social media platforms quickly lit up with reactions from viewers who found the reference to Carter’s recent passing distasteful. Many pointed out that the former president had only passed away in December 2024, making the timing of the joke particularly insensitive. The sketch’s dark humor seemed to strike a nerve with those still processing the loss of America’s longest-living president.

What made the situation more problematic was the context of Carter’s death. After spending nearly two years in hospice care, the former president passed away at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of humanitarian work and peace advocacy that many felt deserved more respect than being used as a punchline in a comedy sketch.

Social media responds with mixed reactions

The internet wasted no time in sharing their thoughts about Chalamet’s controversial joke. Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok were flooded with comments ranging from outrage to defense of the young actor. Some users called the joke “totally disrespectful and out of line,” while others argued that comedy sometimes pushes boundaries and shouldn’t be taken too seriously.

Many fans expressed disappointment in both Chalamet and the SNL writing team for approving such a sensitive joke. Comments like “too soon” and “wild” dominated social media discussions, with some viewers suggesting that someone would “go to hell” for writing the controversial sketch. The backlash highlighted the ongoing debate about where to draw the line in comedy.

Interestingly, some defenders of the sketch pointed out that Carter himself was known for his good humor and ability to laugh at himself. These supporters argued that the joke wasn’t meant to mock Carter’s achievements or character but was simply playing with the unexpected timing of physical comedy. However, this perspective remained in the minority among the sea of critical responses.

The controversy also sparked discussions about generational differences in comedy appreciation. Younger viewers seemed more likely to defend the joke as typical SNL humor, while older audiences who remembered Carter’s presidency and humanitarian work found it more offensive. This generation gap added another layer to the already complex debate.

This incident joins the long list of SNL controversies that have sparked important discussions about comedy’s boundaries. While some debates may never be fully resolved, each controversy contributes to our understanding of how comedy can evolve while remaining respectful of diverse perspectives and sensitive topics. The key lies in learning from these moments rather than allowing them to stifle creative expression entirely.