Joke gone bad: SNL writer calls Donald Trump's son 'homeschool shooter'; gets suspended

Saturday Night Live has suspended one of its writers after she made a joke about the US President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron, on social media.

The writer, Katie Rich, fired off a tweet targeting the 10-year-old boy, which read, "Barron will be this country's first homeschool shooter."

The writer was quickly suspended by the popular American TV show after the post, reported Entertainment Weekly.

Rich, however, deleted the tweet hours later and posted an apology via another tweet. "I sincerely apologise for the insensitive tweet. I deeply regret my actions and offensive words. It was inexcusable and I'm so sorry."

Rich had been writing for SNL since December 2013 and worked on the Weekend Update newscast.

As Barron was subjected to taunts from internet bullies for looking bored during his father's inauguration, he found unlikely support from Trump's rival Hillary Clinton's daughter, Chelsea, who jumped to the young boy's defence. "Barron Trump deserves the chance every child does -- to be a kid," Chelsea posted on Facebook.