The Show Must Go On: Kenan Thompson Hid Broken Elbow While Hosting SNL with Trump

In an extraordinary testament to dedication and the intense pressure of live television, veteran Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson revealed that he performed in sketches during Donald Trump’s controversial 2015 hosting gig while secretly nursing a broken elbow. Thompson sustained the injury after a cycling accident just days before the show’s preparation began. Not wanting to compromise the hard work of the writers or distract viewers from the comedy, Thompson chose to conceal the injury, resorting to sleeping sitting up and strategically propping his arm on his waist during performances. This behind-the-scenes revelation—which he shared on the IMO With Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson podcast—underscores the “no excuses” mentality required of the show’s cast, even in the face of significant physical pain, all to ensure the success and seamless execution of the week’s episode.

The Accidental Injury: A Collision on the Street

Thompson’s debilitating injury occurred unexpectedly just days before the highly scrutinized episode featuring then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2015.

The comedian recounted that the incident happened while he was riding his bike back to the studio from lunch, just a few blocks away. While maneuvering through street traffic and parked cars, Thompson collided with an individual who “came flapping up out of nowhere,” causing him to fall down. Although he didn’t crash and flip over entirely, the impact was enough to badly injure his arm. Initially, the arm felt “a little numb,” but as the blood began to flow, the pain started to set in. It wasn’t until about 15 to 20 minutes later, when he was back at his desk, that the comedian realized the severity of the injury, quickly recognizing that he had broken his elbow.

Prioritizing the Comedy: Hiding the Cast

Thompson’s immediate concern was not his own pain, but the potential distraction the injury would cause to the integrity of the show and the writers’ sketches.

Realizing that he had a show to do on Saturday and that Tuesday was the crucial script-reading day, Thompson took immediate action. He quickly went to an urgent care clinic and got his arm secured in a cast. In an interview with the Washington Post, he explained his reasoning for the secrecy: “The writers, they work so hard… and then the only thing people would be mentioning would be like, ‘Did you see Kenan’s broken arm?’ That’s whack.” He felt strongly that “even just the smallest distraction throws off the potential of the experience of the joke,” stating that in the high-stakes environment of SNL, cast members “kind of don’t have permission to not be perfect.”

Performing Through the Pain: A Masterclass in Concealment

To minimize the visibility of his large cast during the live broadcast, Thompson employed specific physical tactics in his sketches to keep the focus on the comedy.

Despite his best efforts, the large cast was occasionally visible underneath his long-sleeved shirts during the broadcast. However, his intention was clear: to perform as normally as possible. In his scenes, he strategically propped his injured arm on his waist to keep it stable and draw less attention to the limb. This dedication allowed him to participate in several key sketches that evening. He appeared in the “Live Tweets” segment, which featured Trump reacting to the sketch in real time, and in a “Rock Band” sketch where he played alongside a laser-harp-wielding Trump. He also made an appearance as Frederick Nathaniel “Toots” Hibbert to chat with Trump between musical guest Sia’s performances, seamlessly integrating the injury into his physicality.

The SNL Mentality: A Testament to Professionalism

Thompson’s decision to hide a significant injury to protect the integrity of the SNL episode speaks volumes about the unique, intense professionalism demanded by the show.

The pressure cooker environment of Saturday Night Live leaves little room for physical setbacks, a reality Thompson accepted without question. His commitment highlights the deep respect cast members have for the arduous work of the writers and the collective goal of delivering a perfect broadcast. By minimizing the appearance of his broken elbow, Thompson ensured that the focus remained entirely on the satire and the comedy of the show, rather than on a visible personal struggle. This incident is now recognized as another iconic, albeit painful, story that exemplifies the “show must go on” ethos that has defined the legendary sketch comedy institution for decades.