Donald Trump blasts Saturday Night Live after Matt Damon's Brett Kavanaugh skit and Kanye West rant
Donald Trump condemned the American comedy show Saturday Night Live on Sunday after Matt Damon portrayed his Supreme Court nominee as an angry, beer-obsessed caricature and Kanye West was booed by the audience.
“Like many, I don’t watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) - no longer funny, no talent or charm. It is just a political ad for the Dems,” he wrote on Twitter. “Word is that Kanye West, who put on a MAGA hat after the show (despite being told “no”), was great. He’s leading the charge!”
Many of America’s leading comedians cut their teeth on the late programme, particularly during its 1970s heyday.
But in recent years it dipped in popularity before finding its feet again with the arrival of Donald Trump in the White House, according to critics.
Alec Baldwin's portrayal of Mr Trump provoked frequent presidential Twitter outbursts.
It returned to screens for a new series on Saturday, with Damon appearing in its opening sketch as Brett Kavanaugh, the Supreme Court nominee who had to appear before senators last week to defend himself against allegations of sexual misconduct.
In a skit that quickly went viral, Damon described himself as an optimist - “a keg-is-half-full kind of guy” - and promised to fight for his nomination.
“I don’t know the meaning of the word ‘stop,’” he said, while quaffing non-stop from a multiple glasses of water. “To quote my hero, Clint Eastwood’s character in Gran Torino, ‘Get the hell off my lawn.”
The show also featured performances by West, who launched into a pro-Trump rant as the end credits rolled.
Wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat, he again said he would run for the White House in 2020 and responded to critics who have asked him how a black man can support a president accused of racism.
“We don’t just make our decisions off of racism,” he said in a portion that was not broadcast, according to People magazine. “I’ma break it down to you right now: If someone inspires me and I connect with them, I don’t have to believe in all they policies.”
Much of the audience remained silent, while some booed and shouted.
The next day, West followed up Mr Trump's approving tweet with an affectionate post of his own.
this represents good and America becoming whole again. We will no longer outsource to other countries. We build factories here in America and create jobs. We will provide jobs for all who are free from prisons as we abolish the 13th amendment. Message sent with love pic.twitter.com/a15WqI8zgu
— ye (@kanyewest) September 30, 2018
However, his reference to the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery, provoked confusion. He later clarified his comments, saying the amendment - which permits "involuntary servitude" for criminals - should be reformed.
