During the 50th anniversary special of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) on February 16, 2025, actor Tom Hanks reprised his character, Doug, a Trump supporter, in a “Black Jeopardy!” sketch. In the skit, Doug, wearing a MAGA hat, hesitates to shake hands with a Black contestant, Darnell Hayes, and suggests creating a “White Jeopardy” show. This portrayal drew criticism from Trump supporters, who felt it unfairly depicted them as racist.
Elon Musk, serving as the head of the Department for Government Efficiency in President Trump’s administration, responded to the backlash by retweeting a derogatory comment about Hanks, accompanied by fire emojis. This action intensified the controversy, leading to widespread condemnation.
Former SNL cast member Victoria Jackson labeled the sketch “stupid” and questioned why the show didn’t target supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Joy Behar of “The View” expressed her disapproval, stating that the sketch unfairly characterized all Trump voters as racists and highlighting that many were misled by promises about grocery prices, inflation, and social security.
The incident underscores the deepening political polarization in the United States, with public figures’ actions and statements often sparking intense reactions from various factions. Musk’s retweet, in particular, exemplifies how social media can amplify controversies and influence public discourse.
In summary, the SNL sketch and Musk’s response have ignited significant backlash among Trump supporters, highlighting the challenges of navigating political satire and public figures’ influence in today’s media landscape.
