The remark, made just weeks after Jimmy Carter’s passing at age 100, sparked gasps from the studio audience and Timothée Chalamet is now facing a wave of criticism online.
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Controversial Jimmy Carter Joke By Timothée Chalamet Leaves ‘SNL’ Fans Furious
Timothée Chalamet shows a montage of him losing awards during his SNL monologue:
“It’s an enormous honor going to these award shows. It’s such a great experience. But I just keep losing. And each time, it gets harder to pretend it doesn’t sting.” pic.twitter.com/XquXVMvLvR
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 26, 2025
The incident occurred during the “Bungee” skit, where Chalamet played an instructor at a workout class. At one point, he told participants to perform “The Jimmy Carter,” leading everyone to hang limp in their harnesses, mimicking death.
The audience reaction was immediate, with audible gasps filling the studio. Viewers at home were equally taken aback, expressing their disapproval on social media.
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Social Media Backlash
One viewer criticized the joke for being “totally disrespectful and out of line,” adding, “And yes, I have a sense of humor and love the show, but that was just horrible and too soon. I hope his family didn’t see that.”
“Too soon and not funny! The whole skit was crap,” another shared.
“Someone’s going to hell for that one,” one person commented on the clip of the sketch shared on YouTube.
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Timothée Chalamet Gets Blasted For ‘SNL’ Joke
Others were harsher in their judgment. “Wow, ‘SNL,’ a Jimmy Carter is dead joke? Not funny, not appropriate,” said one user.
Another declared the remark could even cost Chalamet his Oscar chances for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.”
“If I were a betting man, I would’ve bet on Timothée Chalamet winning an Oscar for his Dylan portrayal, but his dead Jimmy Carter joke on ‘SNL’ a full month before voting ends changes that. Insensitive and really immature. Just unnecessary,” the fan wrote.
“Was funny until that Jimmy Carter line. Totally disrespectful and out of line,” someone else expressed. “And yes I have a sense of humor and love the show but that was just horrible and too soon … I hope his family didn’t see that.”
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Chalamet and “SNL” have yet to respond to the controversy, but the backlash highlights the fine line between humor and insensitivity. While “Saturday Night Live” has long been known for its edgy comedic takes, this moment has left many questioning the show’s judgment in tackling such a recent loss.
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Jimmy Carter Passes Away
Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, after nearly two years in hospice care, was the longest-living president in U.S. history. A tireless advocate for peace and human rights, his family and admirers celebrated his legacy in statements and tributes.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” his son, Chip Carter, said in a statement. “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
Carter’s funeral service, held on January 9 at the Washington National Cathedral, was attended by prominent world leaders, including presidents Trump, Biden, Obama, Bush, and Clinton.
Jimmy Carter’s Legacy
During his presidency, Carter achieved several significant milestones that continue to define his legacy. One of his most notable accomplishments was the Camp David Accords in 1978, where he brokered a historic peace agreement between Egypt and Israel. This landmark achievement in Middle East diplomacy earned widespread praise and demonstrated his unwavering commitment to peace.
Amid an energy crisis, Carter prioritized energy conservation and reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil. He established the Department of Energy and championed renewable energy initiatives, encouraging environmental stewardship to address the nation’s growing energy concerns.
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Carter also made human rights a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, emphasizing the importance of holding nations accountable for their treatment of citizens. His focus on human rights influenced U.S. relations with the Soviet Union and other countries during his tenure, setting a new standard for diplomatic engagement.
In addition to these achievements, Carter expanded environmental protections by designating millions of acres of wilderness in Alaska and increasing the scope of national parks.