Tom Hanks has once again found himself at the Center of political controversy, this time over his return to Saturday Night Live (SNL) during its 50th-anniversary special.
The Hollywood legend reprised his role as Doug, a MAGA-hat-wearing Trump supporter, in a revival of the “Black Jeopardy” sketch, a recurring segment on the show.
The original 2016 sketch was well-received for its satirical take on political and cultural divisions, showing how people from different backgrounds could have more in common than expected.
However, in the latest version, the reaction was far from positive, especially among conservative viewers who accused SNL of pushing an outdated and divisive narrative.
The sketch featured Hanks’ character refusing to shake hands with host Darnell Hayes, played by Kenan Thompson, a moment that immediately sparked outrage online.
Some critics argued that the bit portrayed Trump supporters as racist caricatures, with many calling the portrayal unfair, tone-deaf, and offensive given the current political climate.
Former Robert F. Kennedy Jr. aide Link Lauren slammed the show, calling it “disgusting” and accusing SNL of refusing to evolve with its audience.
“This show wonders why their ratings are in the gutter,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Trump won the popular vote. This tired trope that MAGA is racist is disgusting. SNL is an unfunny show for snobbish liberal elites.”
Conservative commentator Benny Johnson also weighed in, saying, “SNL decided it was a good idea to depict Tom Hanks as a ‘racist Trump supporter’ in a MAGA Hat … Donald Trump just won a landslide … They have learned nothing.”
Right-wing influencer Dominick McGee specifically called out Hanks, writing, “Tom Hanks was just disrespecting every Republican on SNL as he was dressed up as a Trump supporter with a MAGA hat.”
Many viewers expressed their frustration, with one X user tweeting, “So not funny and Tom Hanks insulted me and 77 million other viewers.”
Another user added, “This trope of portraying the majority of the country as ‘racist’ is so annoying, old, and divisive. Glad I’m not watching this tonight.”
Some also pointed out the audience’s reaction, with a critic noting, “No one in the audience laughs as Tom Hanks appears on SNL as a racist Trump supporter that refuses to shake hands with a Black man.”
Beyond the immediate backlash to Hanks’ sketch, Trump supporters used the controversy to highlight what they claim is SNL’s declining cultural relevance.
A pro-Trump account on X posted, “Tom Hanks and SNL thought it would be hilarious for him to put on a MAGA hat and act out a stereotype of half the country in a desperate attempt to cope with Democrats’ crushing defeat in November. Not surprising no one watches SNL or NBC anymore.”
Despite the outrage, some SNL fans defended the sketch, arguing that satire has always been a part of the show’s DNA and that Trump supporters were overreacting.
A few X users mocked the backlash, with one writing, “MAGAs crying over a Tom Hanks SNL skit is the funniest thing ever.”
But this was not the only time Trump’s name was mentioned during SNL 50. The anniversary special featured several jokes targeting the former president.
Steve Martin kicked off the night with a reference to Trump renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” while Martin Short later found himself the punchline of an immigration joke.
In a skit parodying Les Misérables, a cast member sang about New York’s drastic changes, referencing Trump’s move to Florida: “I dreamed a dream that King Kong died, then I remembered he’s in Florida.”
While SNL has never shied away from political humor, critics argue that its portrayal of Trump voters as racist caricatures is outdated, especially given Trump’s rising popularity among diverse voter groups.
With SNL’s ratings steadily declining, many are now questioning whether the show is still a cultural powerhouse or if it has lost its comedic edge by relying on the same political tropes.
Hanks’ return as Doug has undoubtedly reignited the long-standing feud between SNL and conservative America.
Featured Image Credit: (Instagram/ @tomhanks)
