Tom Hanks leaves Trump supporters furious following ‘SNL 50’ sketch: ‘He insulted me and 77 million other viewers’
Tom Hanks Sparks Controversy with Return of “Black Jeopardy” Character on SNL’s 50th Anniversary
Tom Hanks has once again found himself at the heart of a heated debate after reprising his role as Doug, a character from Black Jeopardy, during Saturday Night Live’s milestone 50th-anniversary special.
Doug, originally introduced in 2016, is a clueless Trump supporter sporting a MAGA cap, created to emphasize both the stark contrasts and surprising parallels between supporters of Donald Trump and aspects of Black culture.
However, when SNL and the beloved Hollywood star decided to bring Doug back for the high-profile celebration, not everyone was amused—especially Trump supporters.
Many conservatives voiced their frustration, accusing Hanks and the show of leaning into an outdated and divisive stereotype. Their criticism was particularly intense given Trump’s recent success in gaining traction among a more diverse electorate and his popular vote triumph in the 2024 election.
The Moment That Ignited Backlash
In the revamped version of the sketch, Hanks’ Doug takes the stage but notably refuses to shake hands with host Darnell Hayes, played by Kenan Thompson.
This single action was enough to set off a wave of outrage online. Critics quickly took to social media to condemn both SNL and Hanks, arguing that the portrayal was both unfair and antiquated.
Link Lauren, a former aide to RFK Jr., didn’t mince words, calling the segment “disgusting” and criticizing SNL for failing to evolve with the times.
“The reason this show’s ratings are tanking is because they refuse to move on,” he posted. “Trump won the popular vote. This tired narrative painting MAGA as racist is disgusting. SNL has become an unwatchable show catering to elitist liberals.”
Right-wing influencer Dominick McGee also took direct aim at Hanks, writing, “Tom Hanks just disrespected every Republican by dressing up as a Trump supporter in a MAGA hat and mocking them on SNL.”
Trump Supporters Lash Out at Hanks and SNL
The backlash didn’t stop there. Frustrated viewers flooded social media with criticism.
One angered user wrote, “This isn’t funny at all. Tom Hanks just insulted me and 77 million other Americans.”
Another user on X (formerly Twitter) chimed in, saying, “This constant attempt to paint a huge portion of the country as racist is old, exhausting, and divisive. Glad I skipped watching tonight.”
Some even pointed out what they perceived as a lackluster audience response, with one viewer commenting, “Nobody in the crowd even laughed when Tom Hanks appeared as a racist Trump supporter who wouldn’t shake hands with a Black man.”
Conservatives Claim SNL’s Popularity Is Fading
While much of the criticism was aimed at Hanks, many Trump supporters used the controversy to highlight what they believe is SNL’s declining relevance.
One pro-Trump account on X posted, “Hanks and SNL thought it’d be hilarious to have him put on a MAGA hat and act out a tired stereotype of half the country. This just proves how desperate they are after Democrats’ crushing defeat in November. No wonder nobody tunes into SNL or NBC anymore.”
Still, not everyone was outraged. Many viewers found Hanks’ performance hilarious, with some social media users mocking conservatives for their outrage.
“SNL had MAGA folks absolutely melting down tonight, and it’s hilarious to watch,” one X user wrote.
More Trump Jabs Throughout the Night
The sketch wasn’t the only moment that took shots at Trump—political humor was woven throughout the nearly four-hour special.
Legendary comedian Steve Martin opened the show with a joke about Trump’s recent decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico.
“I barely made it here! Just days ago, Lorne [Michaels] told me I was doing the monologue, and I was actually vacationing on a friend’s boat in the Gulf of Steve Martin.”
Later in the monologue, Martin was joined on stage by Only Murders in the Building co-star Martin Short, who became the target of yet another political gag.
Martin jokingly called immigration enforcement on Short, who is Canadian, yelling, “Do you have your passport? ICE, get him!”
Actors playing ICE agents then rushed the stage, pretending to escort Short off as he desperately shouted, “No! I’ll name names! Mike Myers! Jim Carrey!”
One of the most direct digs at Trump came in a musical parody of Les Misérables’ “I Dreamed a Dream”. A cast member sang about how New York has changed over the years, delivering a thinly veiled jab at Trump’s relocation to Florida:
“I dreamed a dream that King Kong died, then I remembered he’s in Florida.”
Is SNL Stuck in the Past?
While SNL has always embraced political satire, critics argue that its repeated depiction of Trump voters as racist caricatures feels stale and disconnected from reality—especially considering Trump’s growing appeal among diverse demographics and the fact that he won the presidency.
The special delivered plenty of nostalgic moments, but with SNL’s ratings on the decline, the question remains: Is the show still a relevant force in comedy, or has it lost its edge by recycling the same political jokes?
Regardless of where opinions fall, one thing is undeniable—Hanks’ return as Doug has reignited the longstanding feud between SNL and conservative America.
