Among them, Cheadle wore a black T-shirt with white text that read, “Protect trans kids,” as he introduced musical guest Gary Clark Jr., who was doing his second performance of the night.
Thank you Don Cheadle for using your platform to help save lives. 🏳️🌈❤️#ProtectTransKids #SNL pic.twitter.com/XOGsr44h6N
— Q. Allan Brocka (@allanbrocka) February 17, 2019
People reported Clark Jr. sang "This Land," a song from his upcoming album of the same title.
The single, which Rolling Stone calls an "indictment of modern racism," contains lyrics like "50 acres with a Model A/Right in the middle of Trump country," and, "I remember they used to tell me … 'We don't want your kind/We think you's a dog born'/(expletive) you, I'm America's son/This is where I come from."
At the end of the show, Cheadle also took President Donald Trump to task, wearing a Soviet Union hockey jersey with “Trump” and “45” on the back.
Don Cheadle wore a Soviet Union hockey jersey with “Trump” and “45” on the back at the end of SNL after hosting. Shade level: Masterful pic.twitter.com/hrDjPRulXy
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) February 17, 2019
A number of celebrities who work in advocacy for trans people praised Cheadle for his shirt, including actress Laverne Cox and Karamo Brown of “Queer Eye.”
Ditto! Thank you @DonCheadle. You rock! https://t.co/ezaBLK1WcV
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) February 17, 2019
I have always been a fan of @DonCheadle but him wearing a protect trans youth T-shirt & Soviet Union hockey jersey w/ “Trump” & “45” on the back on @nbcsnl have now put me in the super fan category. Subtle, Masterful yet Effective. #Bravo pic.twitter.com/3R6qxZHXu8
— Karamo Brown (@Karamo) February 17, 2019
Cheadle thanked them and others for their support, tweeting, "I awoke to so much support and love!! thank you @nbcsnl for the opportunity to play and pay respect and throw shade in an historic space in an historic time. keep fighting, y'all. evil grows in the dark.
♥️✌🏿✊🏿 to each and every one of you beautiful tweeps. i awoke to so much support and love!! thank you @nbcsnl for the opportunity to play and pay respect and throw shade in an historic space in an historic time. keep fighting, y'all. evil grows in the dark. 😘
— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) February 17, 2019
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