Trump Criticizes ‘S.N.L.’ Writer Who Joked About His Son Barron

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/arts/barron-trump-snl-writers-joke-donald-trump.html

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President Trump weighed in on a widely criticized joke made on Twitter by a writer for “Saturday Night Live” about his 10-year-old son, Barron, calling the writer “terrible” and the incident “a disgrace” in an interview broadcast Thursday night on Fox News.

In the conversation with Mr. Trump, the Fox News host Sean Hannity described Barron as “a wonderful, smart, charming kid,” adding: “And then, they attack him. That’s got to hurt you and Melania.”

Mr. Trump replied: “Well, ‘Saturday Night Live’ — a person from ‘Saturday Night Live’ was terrible. It’s a failing show. It’s not funny. Alec Baldwin’s a disaster. He’s terrible on the show and, by the way, I don’t mind some humor but it’s terrible. But for them to attack, for NBC to attack my 10-year-old son —”

Mr. Hannity said, “Horrible.”

Mr. Trump continued: “It’s a disgrace. He’s a great boy. And it’s not an easy thing for him. Believe me.”

Mr. Trump’s remarks were reported by Deadline.com.

Last Friday, during Mr. Trump’s inauguration, Katie Rich, a writer for “Saturday Night Live,” wrote on her Twitter account that “Barron will be this country’s first homeschool shooter.”

Amid an outcry, Ms. Rich deleted the tweet. She was placed on an indefinite suspension from the show, and her name did not appear in the credits of the episode broadcast last weekend. On Monday, she posted an apology on Twitter, writing: “I deeply regret my actions & offensive words. It was inexcusable & I’m so sorry.”

Mr. Trump, who hosted “S.N.L.” in November 2015 while a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has become a frequent critic of the show and of Mr. Baldwin, who portrays him in comedy sketches.

A statement released on Tuesday by the White House press office said: “It is a longstanding tradition that the children of presidents are afforded the opportunity to grow up outside of the political spotlight. The White House fully expects this tradition to continue.”

NBC declined to comment on Thursday night.