Tom Hanks recently made waves during Saturday Night Live’s 50th-anniversary special, but not everyone was laughing. The beloved actor’s appearance in a sketch featuring his character Doug wearing a MAGA hat sparked strong reactions, particularly from supporters of former President Donald Trump.
The special, which brought together a star-studded lineup including Meryl Streep, Martin Short, and Jack Nicholson, celebrated five decades of the iconic sketch comedy show. Hanks joined in the festivities, reprising his role as Doug in a parody of the game show Black Jeopardy. In the sketch, Doug dons a red “Make America Great Again” hat, a symbol closely associated with Trump’s political movement.
The sketch took a humorous turn when Doug initially refused to shake hands with the show’s host, played by Kenan Thompson. After some hesitation, Doug eventually relented but quipped, “Don’t like that, whoa, whoa, whoa. Maybe I’ll call it ‘White Jeopardy’ and start a show just for you.”
While the skit was intended as satire, it didn’t sit well with many Trump supporters. Social media quickly lit up with criticism, with some accusing the show of portraying MAGA supporters in a negative light. One Twitter user wrote, “Tom Hanks just mocked millions of Trump supporters as stupid, racist rednecks. Keep it up, liberals. You’ll never win another election.”
Others echoed similar sentiments, with some calling the sketch offensive and out of touch. Despite the backlash, SNL has long been known for its political satire, often poking fun at figures and movements across the political spectrum.
Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner, is no stranger to SNL, having hosted the show numerous times. His latest appearance, however, has certainly stirred the pot, proving that even after 50 years, Saturday Night Live remains a lightning rod for controversy.
