Joy Behar has spoken out in defense of Tom Hanks amid backlash over his portrayal of Donald Trump supporters during the Saturday Night Live 50th-anniversary special. On the February 19 episode of The View, Behar addressed criticism of the sketch, arguing that it painted all Trump voters as “racist,” which she believed was an unfair generalization.
Behar explained, “The reality is that the sketch makes it seem like everyone who voted for Trump is a racist, and that’s why people are upset.” She emphasized that she does not support stereotyping any group of people, as it is unfair to make such broad assumptions.
The skit in question featured Hanks reprising his role as Doug, a MAGA supporter from a previous SNL sketch, Black Jeopardy. In the updated version, Doug refuses to shake hands with the host, Darnell Hayes, played by Kenan Thompson. Many Trump supporters took issue with the depiction, arguing that it misrepresented their views and painted them in a negative light.
Behar contended that many MAGA Republicans were “misled” by Trump, believing he would address economic challenges such as inflation and the cost of living. “It’s not just racism that put Trump in office,” she stated. “We need to acknowledge that.”
While Behar defended the skit, co-host Sonny Hostin had a different take, describing it as “subversive.” Hostin speculated that Doug’s refusal to shake hands could be referencing a real-life incident involving Republican Sen. Deb Fischer’s husband, who was accused of declining to shake hands with Vice President Kamala Harris. Behar, however, disagreed and maintained that broader political humor—like the jokes made by Steve Martin—was more acceptable because it didn’t single out specific groups.
Republican critics have strongly opposed the SNL sketch, with some calling it “disgusting.” Right-wing influencer Dominick McGee accused Hanks of disrespecting Trump supporters, while former SNL cast member Victoria Jackson criticized the anniversary special for lacking political balance.
Despite the controversy, Behar’s remarks have reignited discussions about how Trump supporters are portrayed in mainstream media. With political satire continuing to spark debate, the conversation around representation and fairness in comedy remains ongoing.
