Michael Che's latest Netflix special, recorded at First Avenue in Minneapolis, features provocative commentary regarding the death of Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk. The comedian also repeatedly employs a disability-related slur while critiquing Donald Trump and the current state of American politics.
The Sept. 10 assassination of Charlie Kirk as comedic fodder
Michael Che opens his special by addressing the killing of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot on Sept. 10, 2025, during a tour stop at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. according to the report, Michael Che joked about his initial confusion over the news, mistakenly believing the victim was the fictional Captain Kirk from Star Trek.
While the material is comedic, Michael Che admits to viewing the garphic footage of the assassination to grasp the reality of the event. He describes the video as "f---ed up," yet uses the tragedy to pivot into a critique of the narratie that conservative white men are being silenced in the United States.
Michael Che's defense of the R-word as a label for 'regressive' politics
A central and controversial element of the special is Michael Che's repeated use of the "R-word." As the report says, Michael Che argues that the abandonment of the slur has coincided with a rise in "regressive" behavior globally, claiming that if the word were still in common usage, Donald Trump might never have achieved the presidency.
Michael Che specifically applies the term to the former president, labeling Donald Trump a "r----- whisperer." He suggests that the appeal of red MAGA hats is rooted in a simplistic attraction to headwear, comparing the communication style of Donald Trump to that of a kindergarten teacher who speaks to people who "do not like to think that much."
Comparing presidential candidates to ESPN's top 500 high school quarterbacks
Beyond the shock humor, Michael Che proposes a systemic change to how the United States selects its leaders. he argues that the current four-year election cycle feels like a "f---ed up Would You Rather" scenario, lacking the rigorous long-term scouting found in professional sports.
To illustrate this, Michael Che points to the way ESPN maintains a list of the top 500 high school quarterbacks in the country. He suggests that a similar, multi-year vetting process for potential presidential candidates would prevent the United States from facing sudden, unstable choices every election cycle.
The shift toward extreme shock humor in the post-2025 political climate
The willingness of a major platform like Netflix to broadcast jokes about a political assassination reflects a broader trend in comedy where the "line" of acceptable tragedy has shifted. In previous decades, the death of a public figure—regardless of political affiliation—usually commanded a period of silence or solemnity.
However , in a hyper-polarized environment, comedians like Michael Che are increasingly treating political violence as a legitimate subject for satire. This approach mirrors a growing divide where the perceived "regresssive" nature of an opponent is used to justify the use of language and themes that would have been career-ending a decade ago.
Netflix's silence on the use of disability slurs in 'Shot in Minnesota'
Despite the explicit nature of the language used in the special, it remains unclear how Netflix's internal content guidelines treat the "R-word" compared to other hate speech or slurs. The report does not mention any official response from the streaming giant or advocacy groups for people with intellectual disabilities.
Furthermore, the source only provides Michael Che's perspective on the "regressive" definition of the slur. It remains to be seen if this linguistic pivot will be accepted by the public or if the special will trigger a wider backlash against the comedian's use of disability-related language.
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