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Tom Hanks Faces Backlash Over MAGA Character in SNL Anniversary Sketch

The actor's portrayal of a Trump supporter in 'Black Jeopardy!' has drawn criticism from conservatives and sparked debate about stereotypes in comedy.

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Actor Tom Hanks, during a skit on Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary show, reprised his recurring character Doug, who appears as a contestant in the parody game show “Black Jeopardy.” Doug wears a "Make America Great Again" hat and an American flag T-shirt, and he is the only white character on the parody show. (Getty Images/Jason Merritt)
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Overview

  • Tom Hanks reprised his 2016 role as Doug, a MAGA-supporting character, during Saturday Night Live's 50th anniversary special, drawing mixed reactions.
  • Conservative critics, including Megyn Kelly and former SNL cast member Victoria Jackson, accused the sketch of promoting offensive stereotypes about Trump supporters.
  • The skit featured Hanks' character hesitating to shake hands with Kenan Thompson's host, a callback to the original 2016 sketch, which some found offensive and others saw as satire.
  • Supporters of the sketch argued it highlighted shared cultural values, while critics claimed it unfairly painted all Trump voters as racist or ignorant.
  • The backlash has reignited discussions about the role of comedy in addressing political and social divides, with some defending the sketch as subversive and others dismissing it as divisive.