Megyn Kelly criticized Tom Hanks for taking part in the controversial Saturday Night Live sketch, accusing President Trump's Magazine supporters of “unworthy racist” led the
“It's embarrassing for him,” she said of Hanks in Tuesday's episode. SiriusXM podcast “The Megyn Kelly Show.”
The former Fox News host said Hankskit during the show's 50th anniversary special on Sunday was the very betrayal of the audience that helped make him a Hollywood icon.
“I'm sure Tom Hanks is worth $1 billion,” Kelly said.
“And do you know who got it for him? We all went… to watch “Forest Gump,” “Big,” and to watch the fun Tom Hanks movies. I went.
Kelly added that Hanks has carefully shunned the divisive role throughout his career, making “SNL” even more surprising.
“It was shocking to see someone who is trying so carefully to not be too divided on his choices. It's embarrassing to him.”
Hanks recreated his role as Doug, a character supporting Maga from the repeated “Black Danger” skit.
Originally introduced in 2016, Doug was a caricature of an American voting for country Trump, who found unexpected common positions with black contestants in fictional game shows.
This time, Hanks again wore a red mag hat, an American flag t-shirt and a thick southern draw while interacting with host Darnell Hayes, played by Kenan Thompson.
The sketch featured Eddie Murphy, Tracy Morgan and Leslie Jones as contestants, with Hanks reluctant to intervene with Murphy and shake hands with Thompson.
The portrayal quickly sparked backlash, with many conservatives slamming it as an outdated, offensive stereotype.
Journalist Matt Taibbi criticized the character as lazy and one-dimensional.
“This is an old trope for media and comedy. It's about picking up hay from the refined countryside of the city,” he said.
“But you have to be accurate… a caricature must be true in some way, not just the stereotype ideas you brought up by not observing real people. It's not interesting because it's just a stereotype.”
Author Walter Kiln, who was a guest of Kelly on the podcast, reflected his emotions.
“I didn't know that Tom Hanks would lie down on this kind of thing,” Kiln said.
“It was a terrible writing, it was a terrible skit and he was a big loser. I see people on social media saying, “I don't think I'll be watching him again any time soon.” ”
The backlash has spread beyond media critics, accusing Trump supporters of pitching divisive propaganda.
Former RFK Jr. Aide Link Lauren calls it a prime example of why the show's reputation is declining.
The post is being asked for comment from Hanks and “SNL.”
