Megyn Kelly Calls Out Tom Hanks for ‘Racist’ Depiction of MAGA Voters in SNL Special – Why It Matters

Megyn Kelly recently took a strong stance against Tom Hanks for his role in a sketch on “Saturday Night Live.” In the skit, he depicted President Trump’s MAGA supporters as “worth-nothing racists,” which sparked quite a debate.

During her podcast, “The Megyn Kelly Show,” she expressed her disappointment, saying, “Shame on him.” Kelly believes Hanks betrayed the very audience that contributed to his success in Hollywood.

Kelly reminded listeners that Hanks has built his wealth from films like “Forrest Gump” and “Big,” without ever implying that his fans were foolish or racist. She reacted to Hanks’ decision to dive into political humor, something he had typically avoided throughout his career.

In the sketch, Hanks returned as Doug, a character he first played in the “Black Jeopardy” segment back in 2016. Doug is a rural, Trump-supporting voter who often finds unexpected connections with Black contestants on the show.

This time, Hanks wore a red MAGA hat and an American flag T-shirt, taking on a Southern accent as he interacted with Kenan Thompson’s character, Darnell Hayes. The scene included notable guests like Eddie Murphy, Tracy Morgan, and Leslie Jones, who played contestants on the game show.

However, the portrayal didn’t sit well with many viewers. Conservative critics quickly labeled it as an outdated stereotype. Journalist Matt Taibbi pointed out that the sketch relied on tired clichés that failed to represent real people accurately. He stated, “You have to be accurate… It’s not funny because it’s just a stereotype.”

Author Walter Kirn, who was a guest on Kelly’s podcast, echoed these sentiments. He criticized the writing and the overall quality of the skit, suggesting it didn’t reflect Hanks’ usual standard.

The backlash wasn’t limited to critics. Many Trump supporters voiced their discontent, claiming that “SNL” was promoting divisiveness. Former RFK Jr. aide Link Lauren pointed out that this could be a reason for the show’s declining ratings.

As the conversation continues around comedy and representation, Hanks’ sketch reminds us how easily public figures can stray from their usual personas, especially when tackling contentious social issues.