• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Arts & EntertainmentSaturday Night Live

Aziz Ansari Takes on President Trump, Racism, and Islamophobia in SNL Monologue

By
Mahita Gajanan
Mahita Gajanan
and
TIME
TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Mahita Gajanan
Mahita Gajanan
and
TIME
TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 22, 2017, 10:57 AM ET
US-DC-SMITHSONIAN-AWARDS
Actor Aziz Ansari arrives on the red carpet for the Smithsonian Magazine's 2016 American Ingenuity Awards, honoring groundbreaking individuals in several categories, at the National Portrait Gallery on December 8, 2016 in Washington, DC. Actor Aziz Ansari received the award for Performing Arts for his innovative show Master of None. / AFP / MOLLY RILEY (Photo credit should read MOLLY RILEY/AFP/Getty Images)MOLLY RILEY AFP/Getty Images

Saturday Night Live host Aziz Ansari urged President Donald Trump, whom he dubbed “the Chris Brown of politics,” to take on the “lower-case K.K.K. movement” that has spread in America during his monologue.

Citing the rise of hate crimes in the U.S. since Trump was elected president, Ansari pointed out that casual racism has become normal in the country, and called for Trump to condemn it.

[hulu id=opqg_qupwf2cbbv81en7nw width=512 height=288]

“I think Trump should make a speech. A real speech denouncing the lower-case K.K.K. Don’t tweet about me being lame or the show,” he said. “Write a speech. A real speech. Because these people are out there, and it’s pissing a lot of people off.”

Despite the “casual white supremacy” on display, minorities aren’t going anywhere, Ansari said.

“My parents moved from India to South Carolina in the early ’80s,” he said. “They didn’t move until nine years ago. You know where they moved? North Carolina. They love it here. They’re not leaving.”

Watch Saturday Night Live’s Shirtless Vladimir Putin Assure America About President Trump

Ansari ended his joke-packed monologue on a serious note, saying those who are worried about Trump and his administration will be fine, especially in light of the protests during the inauguration and the Women’s March on Saturday.

“If you look at our country’s history, change doesn’t come from presidents,” he said. “Change comes from large groups of angry people. And if Day 1 is any indication, you are part of the largest group of angry people I have ever seen.”

 

About the Authors
By Mahita Gajanan
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By TIME
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Arts & EntertainmentMusic
BTS begins comeback tour to reclaim status as one of the world’s biggest pop acts after completing Korea’s mandatory military service
By Juwon Park, Kim Tong-Hyung, Hyung-Jin Kim and The Associated PressMarch 21, 2026
4 hours ago
abc
North AmericaTV
ABC cancels new ‘Bachelorette’ season after video emerges of star committing domestic abuse
By Andrew Dalton, Alicia Rancilio and The Associated PressMarch 20, 2026
1 day ago
chuck norris in red shirt
LawHollywood
Chuck Norris never lost a fight, including the one against CBS for $30 million over Walker, Texas Ranger
By Catherina GioinoMarch 20, 2026
1 day ago
Courtesy of Samyr Lainé
SuccessMark Zuckerberg
Meet Mark Zuckerberg’s college roommate. He’s an Olympian-turned-VC exec who now invests in your favorite celebrity businesses
By Jacqueline MunisMarch 20, 2026
2 days ago
Dua Lipa poses
Arts & EntertainmentNestle
Nespresso’s Dua Lipa era marks a shift from George Clooney’s activism to Gen Z aspiration 
By Jacqueline MunisMarch 19, 2026
2 days ago
HealthDietary Supplements
The Best Shampoos for Thinning Hair of 2026: Tester Approved
By Christina SnyderMarch 18, 2026
3 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.