Freshly-elected US politician Dan Crenshaw says he spoke to Pete Davidson in the hours after the Saturday Night Live cast member made a worrying Instagram post referencing his mental health.
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The Republican representative-elect, who was mocked by Davidson on the programme before appearing alongside him for a subsequent apology, told a Houston television station he called to check up on the 25-year-old.
Discussing the post, in which Davidson said “I really don’t want to be on this earth anymore,” Crenshaw said “It was pretty devastating. You don’t want to see someone in that kind of position where they’re actually putting out a cry for help on social media.”
The former Navy SEAL said “I talked to him for a little bit about it. We don’t go back very far, we’re not good friends, but I think he appreciated hearing from me.”
Crenshaw said he told Davidson that he exists for a purpose, and added “you have value, and maybe do more good than you realise for people.
“Especially with a guy like that. Sometimes he makes people laugh, sometimes he makes people mad, you know, but he makes people laugh a lot.”
Responding to what appeared to be a call for help from comedian Pete Davidson, @DanCrenshawTX with me for #HouNewsmakers EXTRA talks about his response and phone call. https://t.co/BRiFwhBjD8 pic.twitter.com/GpqlUCPXpw
— Khambrel Marshall (@KPRC2Khambrel) December 17, 2018
In the lead-up to the US midterm elections last month, Davidson quipped on SNL that Crenshaw – who lost his eye in 2012 after an IED blast in Afghanistan – resembled “a hitman in a porno”.
The comment drew a considerable backlash from some viewers, but Crenshaw retaliated in his own way: he appeared on the next edition of the variety show, ragged on Davidson’s vibrant hair colour, and blasted music by Davidson’s ex-fiancée Ariana Grande.
Crenshaw joins several high-profile figures who’ve voiced their support for Davidson after the comedian’s latest public message about his mental health.
