Tom Hanks Under Fire for Portrayal of MAGA Supporter on ‘SNL 50’
Actor Tom Hanks has come under fire for his portrayal of a character who praises and defends the phrase "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) during a recent episode of Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special.
During the special, which aired on May 18, Hanks appeared in a pre-recorded sketch that featured a group of aging celebrities reminiscing about their past performances on the show. At one point, Hanks’ character, a grizzled veteran of the stage, loudly defended MAGA, saying, "Folks, I don’t care what the haters say, MAGA is gonna make America great again, and if you don’t like it, you can kiss my…grudge!"
The character’s outburst sparked outrage among many viewers, who took to social media to express their dismay and disappointment at Hanks’ apparent endorsement of the controversial phrase. Critics accused the actor of using his platform to promote divisive and hateful rhetoric, and many called for boycotts of his upcoming films and projects.
"I was shocked and disappointed that Tom Hanks, who I have always admired for his work, would use his platform to promote such nonsense," tweeted @SarahLaughedLast, a self-identified "proud liberal." "MAGA is a symbol of hate and discrimination, and Hanks should know better than to play along."
Others defended Hanks’ portrayal, arguing that the character’s outburst was meant to be a commentary on the heterogeneity of opinions among Americans, rather than a genuine endorsement of MAGA. "I think Tom Hanks is a genius for poking fun at the idea of MAGA," tweeted @ComedySnob1992. "The sketch was a clever skewering of the phrase’s more radical connotations, and Hanks nailed it."
Despite the backlash, Hanks’ publicist has thus far declined to comment on the controversy, fueling speculation that the actor may be disavowing his character’s ideology. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Tom Hanks’ MAGA monologue will be a topic of discussion for weeks to come.
In related news, SNL creator Lorne Michaels has announced that the show will be taking a hiatus for the remainder of the season. A spokesperson for the show cited "extensive production delays" and "team-building exercises" as the reason for the hiatus. Many have speculated that the controversy surrounding Hanks’ sketch may have played a role, but a official statement has not been made.
The ‘SNL 50’ special was a highly anticipated event, bringing together a veritable "who’s who" of American comedy legends, including Alec Baldwin, Tina Fey, and Eddie Murphy. The special was seen as a celebration of the show’s 50-year history and its enduring impact on American popular culture.
