Tom Hanks Sparks Outrage Among Trump Supporters Over Controversial ‘SNL’ Skit
Hollywood icon Tom Hanks is facing intense backlash from Donald Trump supporters after a controversial skit in which he portrayed a Trump voter during Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary special. The skit, which aired as part of the celebration, has ignited a firestorm of criticism online, particularly from MAGA supporters.
The heart of the controversy lies in a Black Jeopardy! sketch originally aired in 2014, which was revived for the anniversary special. In the sketch, Hanks plays Doug, a Trump supporter decked out in an American Eagle T-shirt and a “Make America Great Again” hat. Doug, who is assumed to be out of his depth in a quiz show supposedly designed for the Black community, shocks the host, Darnell Hayes (played by Kenan Thompson), by answering every question correctly.
The tension escalates when Hayes reaches out to shake Doug’s hand. Doug hesitates but ultimately accepts, only to awkwardly joke, “Maybe I’ll start a show for you to come on and we’ll call it ‘White Jeopardy.’” The exchange, laced with irony, only deepens the controversy, drawing criticism from Trump supporters who argue that the portrayal was disrespectful and inappropriate.
The skit has fueled widespread debate, with many expressing their outrage on social media, while others defended it as a satire of political and cultural divides.
Tom Hanks Faces Furious Backlash from Trump Supporters Over Controversial ‘SNL’ Skit
Hollywood legend Tom Hanks is under fire from Donald Trump supporters after a divisive skit in which he portrayed a Trump voter during Saturday Night Live‘s 50th anniversary special. The sketch has sparked a storm of criticism online, with MAGA supporters leading the charge against the portrayal.
The controversy centers around a Black Jeopardy! sketch that originally aired in 2014 and was revived for the anniversary show. In the skit, Hanks plays Doug, a Trump supporter dressed in an American Eagle T-shirt and a “Make America Great Again” hat. Doug, expected to flounder in a quiz show presumed to cater to the Black community, stuns the host, Darnell Hayes (played by Kenan Thompson), by correctly answering every question.
The tension in the sketch escalates when Hayes reaches out to shake Doug’s hand. Doug hesitates but eventually accepts, only to joke, “Maybe I’ll start a show for you to come on and we’ll call it ‘White Jeopardy.’” The ironic exchange has amplified the controversy, with Trump supporters accusing the skit of mocking and disrespecting their political views.
The backlash quickly spread across social media, with critics voicing their outrage, while others defended the sketch as a satirical take on political and cultural divisions.
Benny Johnson, a prominent conservative voice, slammed the sketch, saying, “Hollywood still doesn’t get it: portraying Trump supporters as racist caricatures while he’s winning record minority support.” He also labeled SNL’s 2025 attempt at humor as stale and disconnected from reality.
Link Lauren, a former aide to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also condemned the skit, arguing it unfairly painted Trump’s supporters as racist: “Trump won the popular vote. It’s disgusting to use the cliché that MAGA is racist. For snobbish liberal elites, Saturday Night Live is an unfunny show. Rest in peace, SNL!”
Many fans voiced their disapproval on social media, calling the skit one of the lowest points in Hanks’ illustrious career. The outcry highlights the growing cultural divide, with some expressing their deep offense over the portrayal.