‘Saturday Night Live’ found itself in hot water after a surprise cameo by Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley during its recent cold open on February 3. And this SNL skit cost the network a blazing backlash.
The sketch comedy show, hosted by Ayo Edebiri, ignited controversy as Haley addressed former President Donald Trump in a skit. She questioned the pretend Trump about his reluctance to engage in debates with her. Once more the comedy stage on entertainment became an election war ground.
Nikki Haley Challenges Trump On ‘SNL’ Stage
In a town hall sketch for the cold open, Nikki Haley confronted James Austin Johnson’s portrayal of Donald Trump. She posed the question, “Why won’t you debate Nikki Haley?” Trump, responded with a mix-up, mistaking Haley for Nancy Pelosi, the former House Speaker. He said, “Oh my God. It’s her, the woman who was in charge of security on Jan. 6. It’s Nancy Pelosi.”
To that remark, Haley asked, “Are you doing OK, Donald? You might need a mental competency test.”
And James Austin’s Trump replied, “You know what, I did. I took the test and I aced it, OK. Perfect score. They said I’m 100 percent mental and, you know, I’m confident because I’m a man. That’s why a woman should never run our economy. Women are terrible with money.”
The comedic disguised exchange drew attention to Trump’s refusal to participate in presidential debates, a point of contention as the 2024 election looms.
Haley’s appearance on the show however stirred controversy on social media. The critics questioned SNL’s decision to give her screen time while neglecting other presidential candidates. The network, however, remains tight-lipped on the matter, leaving viewers to speculate on the potential implications of providing equal time to other candidates.
In case you missed: Dakota Johnson Calls Taylor Swift The “Most Powerful Person In America” During ‘SNL’ Monologue
‘SNL’ Takes A Swipe At Haley’s Civil War Comment
Ayo Edebiri, who just made her hosting debut, added to the comedic tension by referencing Haley’s previous statement about the cause of the Civil War. In the same skit setting Edebiri quizzically asked, “What would you say was the main cause of the Civil War? And do you think it starts with an S and ends with a lavery?”
The skit played on Haley’s past comments in December 2023, where she initially avoided mentioning slavery as a cause of the Civil War. But this time former South Carolina governor did the homework before taking the stage as she responded, “Yep, I probably should have said that the first time.”
‘Saturday Night Live’, known for its satirical take on current events, faced backlash on this one. The skit did not just succeed at only poking fun at the dynamics between political figures but also unintentionally shed light on the challenges of the entertainment industry navigating the political landscape.
You might also like to read:
