To: Lorne Michaels, Creator, Saturday Night Live
@NBCSNL: Sexual Assault is Not a Laughing Matter
On Friday, October 7, tape leaked of Donald Trump bragging to Billy Bush about serial sexual assault. Saturday Night Live has an obligation to treat it for what it is: a serious act. Make tonight's cold open a condemnation not just of the words, but the actions that they describe.
Why is this important?
Sexual assault is a deadly serious issue. One in 6 American women is a survivor of attempted or completed rape. One in 5 women is assaulted in college.
On Friday, October 7, video surfaced of Republican nominee Donald Trump bragging to Billy Bush about serial sexual assault he committed over his career. Trump's comments include the lines:
"And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.”
“Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything.”
For years, NBC elevated Trump and turned a blind eye to his predatory and illegal behavior. It is time for NBC to hold Trump accountable.
Sexual assault is not a laughing matter. I urge Saturday Night Live to make tonight's cold-open a serious and meaningful discussion of the toll sexual assault takes on survivors--and of course on those who do not survive.
While NBC owes substantially more accountability, it can start with Saturday Night Live. Please do right by every survivor of abuse by Trump and men like him.