Megyn Kelly hits out at Tom Hanks over ‘racist’ MAGA skit on SNL that left Trump supporters furious
The episode of Saturday Night Live was filled to the brim with contentious remarks.
Megyn Kelly has sharply criticized Tom Hanks, accusing him of labeling President Donald Trump’s supporters as “worthless racists” during his recent appearance on Saturday Night Live. The 50th Anniversary Special of the iconic show has certainly sparked controversy, with many taking issue with its content.
Adding to the buzz, Ryan Reynolds made a veiled reference to the ongoing legal drama between his wife, Blake Lively, and actor Justin Baldoni, leaving fans and critics alike wondering if he was hinting at something more behind his comments.
Miley Cyrus found herself at the center of controversy after paying tribute to the late Irish singer Sinead O’Connor, who made headlines in 1992 for tearing up a portrait of Pope John Paul II during her Saturday Night Live appearance.
Meanwhile, actor Tom Hanks sparked mixed reactions with his return to the show as Doug, his MAGA-supporting character. First introduced in 2016, Doug appeared in a Black Jeopardy sketch hosted by comedian Kenan Thompson. The moment took a dramatic turn when Thompson’s character reached out to shake Doug’s hand, triggering a panic attack in the 68-year-old audience member, who was wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat. The scene left many viewers questioning its tone and implications.
Tom Hanks’ appearance on Saturday Night Live has stirred up quite the storm, especially after his character, Doug, addressed a tense moment in the Black Jeopardy sketch with the words, “Don’t like that, whoa, whoa, whoa. Maybe I’ll call it ‘White Jeopardy,’ and start a show just for you.”
The scene quickly went viral, and it didn’t take long for Megyn Kelly to weigh in. On her SiriusXM podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, the 45-year-old political analyst voiced her dissatisfaction with Hanks’ portrayal of Trump voters. “Shame on him,” she declared, taking aim at the Hollywood star’s sketch. She pointed out the irony of Hanks’ career, saying, “I am certain that Tom Hanks is worth a billion dollars, and do you know who made that possible? All the people who supported him by watching Forrest Gump, Big, and his other films, never once considering that he was labeling them as bigots, stupid, and worthless.”
Kelly went on to express her shock at seeing someone who has “carefully avoided being divisive” suggest that Trump supporters were being painted as racists. “It’s a stunning revelation,” she concluded, underlining her disapproval of Hanks’ approach.
In a candid conversation with Sky News, Megyn Kelly expanded her critique of Saturday Night Live, calling out the show for its long-standing history of “anti-conservative programming.” She accused the show of consistently pushing “anti-Trump” and “pro-leftist” narratives for over a decade. “They’ve been doing this for twelve years and beyond,” she said, adding, “and it goes back even further than that.”
Joining Kelly in the discussion, novelist Walter Kirn shared his disbelief that someone like Tom Hanks would participate in such sketches. “It was terrible writing, a terrible skit, and he was the big loser,” Kirn, 62, remarked, pointing out that the sketch was widely criticized online. “People are saying, ‘I don’t think I’m going to be watching him again anytime soon.’ It’s all over social media.”
The portrayal of Hanks’ “redneck” character has certainly sparked debate. One user on X wrote, “They’re still playing the same game. Honestly, it’s a burdensome task.” However, despite the criticism, Hanks has also received praise from some fans and critics alike, reflecting the divided reactions to his appearance.
One social media user chimed in, “I know I’m late to this, but Tom Hanks’ portrayal of the everyday racist MAGA voter on Saturday Night Live was spot on and deserves every award.”
Another user commented, “MAGA should ask themselves why Tom Hanks is able to make them so angry in this SNL sketch. Then, maybe, they should take a good look in the mirror.”
For further insight, Tyla has reached out to a representative of Tom Hanks for additional commentary.
