Bill Maher Critiques SNL Sketch Featuring Tom Hanks

On his podcast Sunday, comedian Bill Maher expressed his discontent with a February sketch from “Saturday Night Live” in which actor Tom Hanks portrayed a racially insensitive supporter of the MAGA movement.

In the sketch, Hanks’ character hesitates to wear a MAGA hat and greet a Black character played by Kenan Thompson, an SNL cast member. After guest Gillian Michaels commented, Maher remarked that he believed most of President Donald Trump’s supporters are not racist and criticized the sketch for being unjust.

Maher candidly stated, “I hated it. Instead of engaging with Black people, I’m wearing a MAGA hat.” He reflected on his thoughts about the portrayal, saying, “Your people don’t know the MAGA people.” He acknowledged that while there are racists in certain areas, he generally finds that MAGA supporters he knows are open to interaction.

“You’re just being hysterical; it’s not helping,” he continued. “What I dislike is what I call a zombie. Don’t lie to me. People in the MAGA crowd do shake hands. I get it; it’s comedy, and it’s an exaggeration, but it doesn’t match reality.”

Maher urged for a reconsideration of comedy, prompting whether the aim should be to reclaim its depth and honesty. He pondered whether SNL even desires to return to that standard, expressing concern over the sketch’s integrity. “The premise has to be true. It’s just not true now—maybe it was years ago, but it’s not the case today,” he said.

Michaels further compared the sketch to remarks made by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a 2016 speech. At that time, Clinton suggested that around half of Trump’s supporters belonged to what she labeled a “deplorable basket,” implying they held bigoted views.

Clinton had stated, “He elevates the mean rhetoric of their offensive hatred,” while also acknowledging that while some individuals may be beyond redemption, they do not represent the entirety of America.

Even after expressing regret for her comments the following day, Clinton seemed to continue her trend of labeling Republican women negatively, framing it as ongoing patriarchy.

As the 2024 election approaches, Trump is poised to connect robustly with both Hispanic and Black voters while running against former Vice President Kamala Harris.