SNL’s Pete Davidson mocks Afghan vet Dan Crenshaw loss of an eye, he’s ‘not a hitman in a porno’
Saturday Night Live‘s Pete Davidson mocked Texas Republican Congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw, who lost an eye in an IED blast while serving in Afghanistan, during the show’s “Weekend Update” sketch Saturday night, in a segment on “first impressions” of some midterm contenders.
Davidson’s assault on GOP candidates as “gross people” with a tasteless attack on Crenshaw, who wears an eye patch.
“You may be surprised to hear he’s a Congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie,” Davidson cackled. “I’m sorry, I know he lost his eye in war, or whatever.”
The audience erupted in peals of laughter. Check out the full clip below.
Dan Crenshaw responds to Davidson’s comments: “Good rule in life: I try hard not to offend; I try harder not to be offended. That being said, I hope @nbcsnl recognizes that vets don’t deserve to see their wounds used as punchlines for bad jokes”
Screenshot SNL’s Pete Davidson mocking Dan Crenshaw
Crenshaw is a retired lieutenant commander with the United States Navy, and was formerly a Navy SEAL. He served five tours, losing his eye on his third deployment.
“After six months of combat operations,” Crenshaw’s official biography notes that “Dan was hit by an IED blast during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan.” He lost his right eye and his left was “badly damaged.” After undergoing several surgeries, Crenshaw returned to service, deploying twice more.
The bit was praised by the New York Times.
Twitter was less kind. This from Meghan McCain: “This is really awful and incredibly tone-deaf and offensive to veterans, their families and all who serve. Come on SNL, do better.”
The Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra: “On NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Pete Davidson mocks GOP Congressional candidate Dan Crenshaw for losing his eye in war: ‘You may be surprised to hear he’s a Congressional candidate from Texas and not a hitman in a porno movie. I’m sorry, I know he lost his eye in war, or whatever.’”
“This is absolutely disgusting. The guy did three combat tours as a Navy SEAL. Not funny in any way, shape or form.” – Politico’s Jake Sherman.
