Nikki Glaser Faces Criticism for Sex Trafficking Jokes in SNL Monologue

Nikki Glaser stirred controversy with her standup jokes about sensitive topics such as sex trafficking, rape, and child molestation during her Saturday Night Live debut.

The 41-year-old comedian hosted the NBC sketch comedy show for the first time on Saturday, November 8, with nearly 10 minutes of airtime dedicated to her standup monologue. The contentious part of her act began with Glaser expressing her frustrations about the nail salon experience with friends.

“You can visit the nail salon with a pal, but you’re separated by the border. They won’t let you sit together. It’s so antisocial,” Glaser joked. “You find yourself watching Beat Bobby Flay on mute. You can’t converse with the woman doing your nails because … slavery? Not sure! She looks stuck and unhappy. I’m just saying.”

Glaser proceeded to address the sex trafficking alerts that women often encounter in public restrooms.

“I’ve been feeling paranoid about slavery lately because every time you visit … a women’s restroom and sit in a stall, there’s always a poster asking if you’re being trafficked,” she noted. “They’re in every stall. They’re in every language. The English is really small, and it’s like, ‘You wish.’”

She continued, “Men’s restrooms don’t have these signs. What do you have? Signs that say, ‘Want a slave? Text Traffick to 69-69.’”

The Dancing with the Stars alum highlighted that she was not alone in her concerns about sex trafficking.

“It’s a major concern for Gen Z girls,” she said. “I have a lot of Gen Z friends, and they’re terrified. I don’t quite relate. I’m 41. That fear didn’t exist in my 20s. Back then, I just worried about good old-fashioned rape. I never imagined it could be a career; it was just seen as a ‘temp job’ on a frat house futon.”

Glaser mentioned that during a recent night out with her younger friends, she expressed her worries about trafficking.

“I considered, ‘What if we get trafficked?’ And they were like, ‘You’ll be fine,’” she claimed. “They said, ‘We’re safer when you’re with us because they think you’re our madam.’”

She further emphasized her point by mentioning that her Gen Z friends joked about her having “resting Ghislaine face,” referring to Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. (Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 on charges linked to Epstein’s activities and has denied all allegations.)

This was not Glaser’s first mention of the Epstein saga in her monologue; she had earlier referred to New York City as “Epstein’s original island.” (Epstein owned a private island called Little Saint James until his passing in August 2019, after facing federal sex trafficking charges.)

In another part of the monologue, Glaser humorously addressed her discomfort when her 4-year-old nephew asked to shower with her.

“My sister said, ‘He can shower with you. It’s fine; he does it with us,’” she recalled. “I thought, ‘That’s okay for you, but are you truly okay with an adult showering with your child? Perhaps it’s best if you supervise.’”

When Glaser’s sister questioned the need for supervision, she responded: “What if I molest him?’ Her sister was shocked, asking, ‘Would you?!’ I said, ‘No! That’s disgusting!’ But that’s exactly what I’d say if I were to [do it]. [Abusers] lie. You can’t trust anyone! I don’t even trust myself.”

Glaser’s edgy monologue was polarizing among SNL viewers, many of whom deemed it inappropriate to joke about serious issues like sex trafficking and sexual assault.

“Okay, Nikki Glaser lost me because why are we discussing molestation and pedophilia!???” one X user complained, while another vented: “Nikki Glaser really gave me the ick on SNL tonight.”

“The topics Nikki Glaser made into jokes on her SNL segment included domestic violence, racism, sexual assault, pedophilia, and sex trafficking. We need better,” another viewer demanded.

An SNL fan called Glaser’s jokes “shameful,” adding: “Nikki Glaser hosting @nbcsnl tonight. Wow, trying humor on rape & sex trafficking…yeah, no.”

“Nikki Glaser hosting #SNL joking about sex trafficking is utterly tone-deaf and offensive. WTF,” an X user wrote.

Others came to Glaser’s defense, claiming she was shining a light on significant issues. One fan who watched SNL stated, “What I gathered from Nikki Glaser’s set: She highlighted shorter guys, created awareness for trafficking resources, and discussed how easy it can be for a family member to commit sexual assault.” They said, “I found her funny.”

Another viewer expressed hope that Glaser would “win an Emmy for this stuff.”

Us Weekly has reached out to NBC for comment.

Glaser is set to host the Golden Globe Awards again in January 2026 due to her success in the previous year, which earned her rave reviews for her jokes about Ben Affleck, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Adrien Brody. She was invited back by award show producers only two months after the 2025 ceremony.

“Hosting the Golden Globes this year was undoubtedly the most enjoyable experience of my career,” Glaser shared in March 2025. “I can’t wait to do it again, and this time in front of the team from The White Lotus, who will hopefully see my talent and cast me in Season Four as a Scandinavian Pilates instructor with a mysterious past.”

Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne expressed excitement for Glaser’s return in 2026, praising her “refreshing energy and fearless humor.”

“Her sharp wit and vibrant presence set the tone for an unforgettable evening, making the ceremony feel lively and enjoyable,” Hoehne remarked.

Saturday Night Live will air its next episode on Saturday, November 15, at 11:30 p.m. ET, featuring guest host Glen Powell and musical guest Olivia Dean.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, please reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).