Donald Trump Freaks Out On Alec Baldwin Over Latest ‘SNL’ Skit, Incites Tweet Storm
Donald Trump railed against Alec Baldwin’s depiction of him in the most recent episode of “SNL.” Trump took to Twitter Sunday morning to voice his displeasure over Baldwin’s performance and criticize the sketch comedy show. However, Baldwin responded to Trump’s attacks, critiquing the president-elect’s actions since his election.
Baldwin brought back the Trump character, which became a crowd favorite in the weeks leading up to the election, for last night’s show. In the episode, Baldwin teamed up with Kate McKinnon, who played Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway. Baldwin played Trump up in his usual way, as a spray-tanned, purse-lipped, blowhard that asks Siri how to defeat ISIS.
On Sunday, Trump tweeted at SNL that he “watched parts of SNL last night” then asked for “equal time” on the show, calling SNL biased and one-sided. According to Vanity Fair, the equal time that Trump requested refers to the Communications Act, allowing candidates running for office equal time to air their message that does not relate to news events.
I watched parts of @nbcsnl Saturday Night Live last night. It is a totally one-sided, biased show – nothing funny at all. Equal time for us?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2016
Baldwin responded to Trump stating that the equal time rule does not apply after the election. Billboard reported that the Trump impersonator said, “Equal Time? Election is over. There is no more equal time. Now u try 2 b Pres + ppl respond. That’s pretty much it.”
Although Trump didn’t respond to Baldwin’s initial tweet, the “30 Rock” star didn’t stop there. Baldwin delivered a barrage of tweets at Trump chiding the Republican candidate about his priorities in the wake of his recent nomination. Baldwin tweeted, “You know what I would do if I were Prez? I’d be focused on how to improve the lives of AS MANY AMERICANS AS POSSIBLE,” and “I’d be focused on improving our reputation abroad, including actually fighting for freedom and not just oil.”
Since his election on November 8, Trump has been accused of obfuscation and distraction, causing feuds with individuals that have no bearing on his future as president of the United States. Trump appeared on “SNL” last year during the primaries, but the president-elect has railed against the show’s political commentary and has taken special issue with Baldwin’s depiction. Trump’s retaliatory tweets come right after vice-president elect Mike Pence was booed in New York during a performance of the Broadway musical “Hamilton.”
Trump has also made some cabinet appointments that have caused criticism from politicians and the public at large. In particular, Trump’s recent appointment of former Breitbart CEO Steve Bannon as his chief strategist in the White House. Bannon has been accused of domestic violence, antisemitism, and bolstering the alt-right movement.
Citing Trump’s recent cabinet appointments, including Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions and Kansas representative Mike Pompeo, Baldwin continued his tweet onslaught at the President-elect. “I would make appointments that encouraged people, not generate fear and doubt,” Baldwin tweeted.
Bannon’s alt-right influence has caused a panic among civil rights groups and left-leaning news organizations. When Trump’s campaign announced Bannon’s appointment, the Washington Post wrote an article about how Bannon was like Joseph Goebbels in Hitler’s Nazi Party. Baldwin picked up on the country’s unrest and delivered his critique after Trump slammed SNL.
Baldwin has been mimicking Trump since the first presidential debate. Baldwin’s depiction, paired with Kate McKinnon’s impersonation of Hillary Clinton, added levity to the brutal 2016 presidential campaign. Baldwin publicly supported Democrat Hillary Clinton before he began his Trump impersonation, but Baldwin’s Trump has become a fan favorite on SNL.
Baldwin told Vanity Fair that he isn’t able to make frequent Trump appearances on SNL due to his busy schedule, but that he will make occasional visits. Although the Trump character will not become a staple of the SNL line-up, Baldwin concluded Sunday’s tweet storm by telling President-elect Trump, “I could go on. You want more advice, call me. I’ll be at SNL.”
Trump has not responded to any of Baldwin’s tweets at this time.
[Featured Image by Evan Vucci/AP Photo]
