Social media erupted after the latest Saturday Night Live (SNL) skits targeting Kamala Harris, with many viewers interpreting the mockery as a bad omen for the Democratic candidate.
Played by Maya Rudolph, Harris’ portrayal in the satirical show has been a frequent feature as the 2024 presidential election draws near.
However, the recent skits have drawn heightened attention and sparked widespread commentary online.
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In Saturday night’s episode, SNL took aim at Harris in a Family Feud-style skit.
The portrayal highlighted some of Harris’ well-known traits, including her use of what some have described as “word salad” rhetoric.
The episode quickly drew responses from viewers on social media platforms, especially X (formerly known as Twitter), where many took the humor as a sign of Harris’ faltering public image.
Robby Starbuck, a well-known conservative commentator, posted, “When SNL is doing skits like this, you know that they think Kamala’s cooked. Mood shifted. I see zero on-the-ground excitement for her. The whole administration is a joke to normal people. A sick, sad, long joke that we’re ready to be done with!”
When SNL is doing skits like this, you know that they think Kamala’s cooked. Mood shifted. I see zero on the ground excitement for her. The whole administration is a joke to normal people. A sick, sad, long joke that we’re ready to be done with!pic.twitter.com/jDShu4A6Mg
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) October 13, 2024
Echoing similar sentiments, columnist Dustin Grage wrote, “You know it’s over when the Democrats have lost SNL. They just destroyed Kamala Harris.”
You know it’s over when the Democrats have lost SNL. They just destroyed Kamala Harris.pic.twitter.com/Nv2dQodiSe
— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) October 13, 2024
The Cold Open of Saturday’s episode was set up as a Family Feud episode, where Vice President Harris faced off against Donald Trump, portrayed by James Austin Johnson. Kenan Thompson played Steve Harvey, the host of Family Feud, who asked both participants to name something kept in their car’s glove compartment.
Harris, depicted by Rudolph, responded with a long-winded answer beginning with, “I was raised in a middle-class family,” mimicking the vice president’s usual speaking style.
The audience burst into laughter before she ultimately landed on “a Glock,” referencing a 60 Minutes interview where Harris revealed that she owns a gun.
The skit didn’t spare other political figures either. Joe Biden, played by Dana Carvey, appeared in the same skit, portraying a confused and rambling Biden.
At one point, Harris manipulated Trump’s character with flattery, leading to Trump declaring, “She’s got my vote.”
The skit drew various reactions from viewers, many of whom interpreted the segment as a signal of a shift in SNL’s political satire.
One viewer commented, “Even SNL couldn’t resist taking a swing at Kamala Harris—now you know things are bad!”
The show’s portrayal of Harris also included a nod to her past public gaffes and mannerisms.
In one scene, Harris, played by Rudolph, danced at a podium and introduced President Biden with a Jamaican accent—something Harris has been criticized for in the past.
The line “If we win together, we could end the dramala and the tramala, and go relax in our pajamalas,” further poked fun at her speech style.
However, not all viewers saw the skit as a turning point. Some, particularly on the left, downplayed the moment, stating that SNL has long parodied Harris.
One user wrote, “Conservatives acting like SNL just started the Kamala ‘but first, something about me’ storyline is so funny to me bc they’ve been doing it since 2019.”
Yet, others saw it as more significant. “Don’t underestimate the cultural shift of SNL mocking Kamala. It’s recognition she is toast & permission to walk away from her & her trainwreck of a campaign,” one X user said.
A sketch from a previous episode also resurfaced, fueling further conversation about Harris’ image.
The earlier skit portrayed Harris and her husband watching the vice-presidential debate, leading some viewers to speculate that SNL was referencing Harris’ rumored drinking problem.
BRUTAL 🤣
Saturday Night Live just mocked Kamala Harris and Tim Walz pic.twitter.com/iQLXl1u2QG
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 6, 2024
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