Actor John Leguizamo has always been proud about his Latin heritage. In fact, he just finished his stage run in his show Latin History For Dummies , and his other shows, which have made it to Broadway, depict different Latino personalities while breaking down stereotypes. So, it isn’t a surprise that the outspoken comedian has something to say about presidential candidate Donald Trump.
When Mr. Trump announced that he was running for president, he referred to Mexican immigrants in the United States as drug traffickers and rapists.
“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”
Nearly a month later, Trump said in a Fox News interview :
“I can never apologize for the truth. I don’t mind apologizing for things. But I can’t apologize for the truth. I said tremendous crime is coming across. Everybody knows that’s true. And it’s happening all the time. So, why, when I mention, all of a sudden I’m a racist. I’m not a racist. I don’t have a racist bone in my body.”
Many people in the Latino community , including John Leguizamo, highly disagree with Trump. Leguizamo has chosen to speak up against Trump when he heard that he was hosting SNL despite his derogatory comments aimed at the Latino community.
John Leguizamo Won’t Watch ‘SNL’ Because of Donald Trump’s “Hate-Mongering” https://t.co/3RHX1XVFgi pic.twitter.com/7m2qDyjneo
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) November 5, 2015
In an interview with Yahoo , the Chef star said that if Trump had said that about any other minority group, he wouldn’t be hosting Saturday Night Live . He accuses the show of celebrating a horrible person, and finds it unacceptable. He went on to say that he will not watch the show if Trump takes the stage to host the sketch variety show.
Leguizamo explained that there’s a difference between using your right to express your opinion under freedom of speech and hateful commentary. “I’m all for freedom of speech, this is different…. What he says doesn’t even fall into the category of PC. It is hate-mongering. I hope what I do in my work is not denigrating or belittling.”
He continued, “His lack of sympathy and empathy is ridiculous.”
“I won’t watch ‘SNL’ anymore.” – @JohnLeguizamo to #SNL . Bye Felipe Serioulsy #DumpTrump https://t.co/PsaqlSnc8C pic.twitter.com/WVhxKUJwTN
— REMEZCLA (@REMEZCLA) November 6, 2015
Leguizamo joked that perhaps Donald Trump is adamant about his comments towards immigrants because he’s trying to get rid of his own wife, who’s an immigrant. He went on to say that another Republican candidate Marco Rubio is not supporting the right party, adding that, “Latin people for Republicans are like roaches for Raid.”
Leguizamo isn’t the only person that’s part of the backlash against SNL over Trump hosting the show. According to CBS This Morning , NBC faces backlash from various Latino advocacy groups if Trump hosts on November 7.
The executive producer Axel Caballero, of National Association of Latino Independent Producers, said that Trump’s racism and hate speech is not funny at all. He is a member of just one of the associations that asked SNL and NBC to take back their invitation.
Caballero added, “How is it possible that a man can go out and really disrespect and really put dangerous words out there and NBC is giving a platform for it?”
As fans of Saturday Night Live know, discussing political current events is a staple on the show. The show has remained bipartisan for the majority of its run, and in recent years, has featured both party candidates in sketches and cold openings.
[Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald]
