Remember the point in this presidential election cycle when real life didn’t outpace satire? No? Neither does Saturday Night Live.
Watch: SNL’s ruthless 2nd debate pits Donald Trump against “President” Hillary Clinton
Alex Abad-Santos is a senior correspondent who explains what society obsesses over, from Marvel and movies to fitness and skin care. He came to Vox in 2014. Prior to that, he worked at The Atlantic.
At this point, SNL’s spoofs on Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are just barely heightened versions of reality — there’s no need to spruce up the truth; it’s already ridiculous.
Going to the well that is Alec Baldwin’s spot-on Donald Trump and Kate McKinnon’s always entertaining Hillary Clinton, the show’s October 15 episode spoofed Trump and Clinton’s ugly second debate in St. Louis, complete with Jaws music as a score for Trump lurking around the stage.
SNL started insulting Trump right off the bat.
“Can we say this yet?” Cecily Strong’s Martha Raddatz asks aloud, while introducing Clinton.
“It’s probably fine,” Alex Moffat’s Anderson Cooper responds.
“President Hillary Clinton.”
The sketch then digs at Trump, the recent flurry of sexual assault allegations against him, and the ongoing meltdown he’s flung himself into. Both nominees are asked about being positive role models for kids, but it’s Baldwin’s Trump who gets the zinger.
“I’ve been helping kids my whole life,” he says. “I love kids. I love them so much I marry them.”
The sketch also highlights Trump’s hypocrisy in inviting women who have accused Bill Clinton of rape and sexual harassment to attend the second debate.
“They need to be heard,” Trump says.
“But what about the women accusing you of sexual assault?” the moderators ask.
“They need to shut the hell up.”
Just like the actual debate, SNL’s debate sketch ended with both nominees being asked to share what they appreciate about the other. Unlike the actual debate, Clinton gets to say what we’re all thinking.
Donald Trump is actually a very generous man, she explains — but not because of charity or any kind of public work. Rather, he’s been very generous to Clinton.
“Just last Friday, he handed me this election,” she says.
