Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential candidate, made an unexpected appearance on “Saturday Night Live” to play a “concerned South Carolina voter” during a parody CNN town hall featuring a Trump impersonator.
While she managed to humorously critique Trump’s mental acuity and legal expenses, the sketch took a turn when the host, Ayo Edebiri, confronted Haley about her previous failure to acknowledge slavery as a cause of the Civil War during a real town hall in December.
Edebiri directly asked Haley about the main cause of the Civil War, emphasizing that it starts with an ‘S’ and ends with ‘lavery.’ Haley admitted her omission, stating, “Yep, I probably should have said that the first time.”
Haley Mocks Trump (Credits: NBC Boston)
Despite the serious nature of the question, Haley handled the situation with a smile, showcasing her ability to take a sharp joke in stride.
This incident on “Saturday Night Live” comes after weeks of Haley addressing the controversy surrounding her initial oversight about the role of slavery in the Civil War.
The former U.N. ambassador has consistently apologized for her lapse, asserting that she recognizes the Civil War was fundamentally about slavery.
Rather than shying away from the controversy, Haley and her campaign embraced it. The campaign uploaded the full seven-minute clip, which also included jabs at Trump endorser and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, to its YouTube channel.
In an email to reporters titled “Live From New York … It’s Nikki Haley vs. Donald Trump,” they circulated the skit, emphasizing Haley’s engagement with the humor and her willingness to confront the issue.
Haley’s appearance on “Saturday Night Live” began with her questioning the fake Trump about a potential debate, with the Trump impersonator confusing her with Nancy Pelosi. In response, Haley teased Trump about his mental competency, a reference to her call for politicians over the age of 75 to undergo mental acuity tests.
The sketch continued to mock Trump’s legal challenges, including the recent $83.3 million verdict in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case.
Haley humorously offered Trump financial assistance, referencing the significant amount his political committees spent on legal expenses in 2023.
Additionally, the skit touched on Haley’s argument that both Trump and President Joe Biden are too old to be in the White House, making a clever reference to the iconic line from “The Sixth Sense” with the quip, “Yeah, that’s what voters will say if they see you and Joe on the ballot.”
While presidential candidates frequently make appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” Haley’s willingness to engage in self-deprecating humor and address a sensitive issue sets a unique tone for her campaign.
