Tom Hanks is under fire for his portrayal of a Trump supporter on Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special. Many viewers called the skit offensive and outdated. Critics claim the show unfairly depicted MAGA voters as ignorant and racist.
Doug returns to black jeopardy
Hanks revived his 2016 character, Doug, a bumbling Trump supporter, for the Black Jeopardy game show parody. The original skit highlighted both differences and similarities between Trump supporters and Black culture. But this time, Doug’s refusal to shake hands with host Darnell Hayes, played by Kenan Thompson, sparked outrage.
MAGA fans fire back
Trump supporters quickly condemned the sketch. Many argued it misrepresented modern MAGA voters, pointing out that Trump had gained a more diverse base. Former RFK Jr. aide Link Lauren called the portrayal ‘disgusting’ and divisive. Conservative influencer Dominick McGee accused Hanks of mocking every Republican on national television.
Twitter exploded with criticism. One user wrote, ‘Tom Hanks and SNL just insulted half the country. No wonder no one watches anymore.‘ Others noted the audience’s awkward silence during the sketch, claiming the joke fell flat.
SNL ratings in question
Many critics used the controversy to highlight SNL’s declining viewership. Some Trump supporters suggested the show’s political bias had driven away viewers. One MAGA fan account stated, ‘SNL is desperate. They attack Trump because they have nothing else.’
Star-studded Trump jabs
The anniversary special featured a packed lineup, including Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig, Adam Sandler, and Cher. But the night was filled with political digs. A parody of Les Misérables referenced Trump’s move to Florida. Steve Martin kicked off the night with a joke about renaming the Gulf of Mexico, mocking Trump’s policies.
More political punches
Martin Short joined Martin onstage, only to be dragged away by actors playing ICE agents. ‘I’ll name names!’ he shouted as he was taken offstage. Later, Weekend Update host Colin Jost joked that Trump would love to cancel SNL altogether.
Trump’s rocky history with SNL
Trump has criticized SNL for years, calling it unfunny and biased. In 2019, he even suggested a federal investigation after Alec Baldwin’s impression of him. In response, SNL creator Lorne Michaels vowed to change how the show handles Trump in his second term.
The show didn’t stop with Trump. Cecily Strong mocked the current political climate in a satirical skit about the apocalypse. Kate McKinnon reprised her role as Rudy Giuliani in a Hamilton-themed musical parody, drawing more laughs at conservative figures.
DEI controversy
A joke about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) also made waves. Strong’s character confused DEI with DUI, suggesting people ‘stop drinking and driving’ in response to backlash against diversity programs. The joke came after Trump signed an order eliminating DEI initiatives in the federal government.
SNL’s 50th anniversary special reignited debates over political satire. While some praised the humor, others saw it as an attack on conservatives.
