Tom Hanks has ignited a firestorm of criticism with his portrayal of a MAGA-wearing character on the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live (SNL). The episode, which aired on February 16, featured a skit in which Hanks played Doug, a character from a previous Black Jeopardy segment. This time, Doug wore a red Make America Great Again (MAGA) hat and engaged in a parody that highlighted cultural and political divides.
The most controversial moment came when Kenan Thompson, playing the host, extended his hand for a handshake. Hanks’ character hesitated before reluctantly accepting, quipping, “Don’t like that, whoa, whoa, whoa. Maybe I’ll start a show for you to come on and we’ll call it White Jeopardy.” This line, along with the portrayal of MAGA supporters as hesitant and racially insensitive, sparked outrage among Trump supporters.
Many took to social media to express their frustration, accusing the skit of perpetuating harmful stereotypes. One critic wrote, “Tom Hanks just came out on SNL in a MAGA hat for a bit where he acted like he didn’t want to shake a black man’s hand. This show wonders why their ratings are in the gutter.” The backlash highlights the ongoing cultural and political tensions surrounding media portrayals of Trump and his supporters, as well as the challenges of addressing these divides in comedy.
