SNL Skit Mocking Dan Crenshaw's War Injury Backfires

A bad joke during a Saturday Night Live skit that makes a few headlines is hardly uncommon these days. However, a skit that mocked the wartime wounds of Texas Congressional Candidate Dan Crenshaw during a Weekend Update skit has drawn sharp criticism from some supporters.

The skit was performed by comic Pete Davidson, who was roasting congressional candidates ahead of the midterms while flashing head shots of each of the candidates. When Crenshaw’s photo appeared, Davidson chuckled ahead of his own joke.

“This guy’s kind of cool, Dan Crenshaw...You may be surprised to know he’s a congressional candidate from Texas and not a hit man from a porno movie. I’m sorry. He lost his eye in war, or whatever,” Davidson quipped.

The joke, which drew laughter from the audience, also drew outrage from others who demanded Davidson apologize for mocking Crenshaw’s war injury.

This is absolutely revolting! You cannot credibly complain about @realDonaldTrump insensitive rhetoric if you’re going to turn around and do the same thing. @nbcsnl owes Mr. Crenshaw an apology. https://t.co/PCThsH4G7b
— Kurt Bardella (@kurtbardella) November 4, 2018

However, Crenshaw, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, who is running for the District 2 race to replace the retiring Ted Poe, took a different stance in a YouTube video and said he didn’t want or need an apology from Davidson.

“Veteran’s across the country don’t feel as though their wounds they received in battle should be the subject of a bad punchline for a bad joke. Here’s the real atrocity in all this; it wasn’t even funny,” Crenshaw said in his YouTube video.

"lost his eye in war or whatever."..... this is @snl - they address a cast members breakup as if it's of vital importance. but laugh at a vet. https://t.co/4xoMLCKWTH
— GregGutfeld (@greggutfeld) November 4, 2018

Crenshaw, who has openly talked about his wartime service during the campaign throughout the northwest Houston area, was wounded in 2012 during an Afghanistan deployment when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HUMVEE, sending shrapnel in Crenshaw’s face.

Crenshaw recovered and deployed two more times before being medically retired in 2016.

Crenshaw is running against Democrat Todd Litton.

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Image: Bryan Kirk/Patch: Republican Congressional Candidate Dan Crenshaw talks about his campaign and his wartime experience with members of the Tomball Chamber of Commerce in September.

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com