In a presidential campaign filled with apocalyptic rhetoric from both Republicans and Democrats, a little humor is welcomed. So for the last three weeks, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” has become appointment viewing for some, as the actors Alec Baldwin and Kate McKinnon have spoofed Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.
Last night, the opening sketch showed Baldwin, playing a blustering Trump, and McKinnon, an icy-queen Clinton, at the second presidential debate. (There was even a reference to Ken Bone, the audience member who, briefly, seemed to be the one bright spot from the bitter debate.)
Early Sunday, Donald Trump, however, let his 12 million Twitter followers know he wasn’t amused. At all.
Watched Saturday Night Live hit job on me.Time to retire the boring and unfunny show. Alec Baldwin portrayal stinks. Media rigging election!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2016
On Saturday’s show, McKinnon gently poked fun at Clinton’s well-rehearsed manner.
Addressing the first question from an audience member, McKinnon’s Clinton moved close to the woman, saying, “Let me start by walking over to you just as I practiced…Left, right, left, right.”
Baldwin’s Trump, on the other hand, was mocked as all bombast and nonsense talk. Asked whether he thinks he’s a good role model for children, Baldwin’s Trump answered quickly, “No, next.”
Just as in the real debate, the moderator asked Trump to address the now-infamous 2005 hot-mic tape in which Trump boasted of groping women, saying as a celebrity, he could get away with it. (Trump has apologized for his remarks and said it was just “locker room” talk. But nine women have come forward, accusing him of unwanted sexual contact. He’s denied their allegations.)
Alec Baldwin, as Trump, blustered his way through the question, noting he’d brought four women who had accused former President Bill Clinton of abusing them. “Their voices need to be heard.” But what about the women accusing Trump of sexual misconduct? “They need to shut the hell up.”
McKinnon’s Clinton, in a southern-belle sounding twang, feigned shock at the women being seated in the audience. “Mistresses? Bill, how could you? How will I go on with the debate? How will I remember my facts and figures? Oh Donald no,” McKinnon’s Clinton said, then added, “Get real! I’m made of steel. This is nothing! Hi girls!”
The final questioner asked Clinton to name one thing she liked about Donald Trump.
“I do like how generous he is. Just last Friday he handed me this election,” McKinnon’s Clinton quipped, an allusion to the fact that polls have shown Hillary Clinton’s lead growing since the 2005 Trump tape was published.
Baldwin’s Donald Trump urged voters to go to the polls on “November 35th.” The actual Donald Trump had urged people to vote on November 28th.
The third and final debate is Wednesday.