Trump’s Latest Attack on Kamala Harris Sparks Backlash and SNL Takedown
Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump launched a personal attack on Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to her as “mentally disabled” and “mentally impaired” during a rally in Wisconsin. The derogatory remarks have drawn widespread criticism, with many calling out Trump for his offensive rhetoric. Among the critics were Michael Che and Colin Jost of Saturday Night Live, who used their platform to roast Trump’s comments.
During SNL’s “Weekend Update” segment, Jost quipped, “Two hours ago, Donald Trump called Kamala Harris ‘a mentally disabled person,’ which is amazing… I cannot believe Trump admitted he lost the debate to a mentally disabled person.” The line was met with laughter, but the underlying message was clear: Trump’s remarks were out of line, as reported by The Daily Beast.
She then jumped in, highlighting Trump’s growing desperation as the 2024 election looms. “You can really tell Trump is worried about this election because now he’s just lashing out, hoping anything will work,” he said, before playing a clip from Trump’s rally. In the footage, Trump bizarrely boasts, “I could’ve been sunbathing on the beach. You’ve never seen a body so beautiful… much better than Sleepy Joe.”
Jost responded with confusion, asking, “What are you talking about?” He added, “You’re saying you’ve got a hotter body than Joe Biden? I’m starting to worry that bullet got a little more than just the ear,” referring to the recent assassination attempts against Trump.
Jost also took a jab at Melania Trump, who blamed Democrats for creating a toxic environment that led to threats against her husband. “When Democrats want to take out a presidential candidate, they get the job done,” Jost remarked.
Trump’s comments about Harris have sparked outrage beyond the comedy world. Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican Senate candidate, condemned the remarks as “outrageous and unacceptable.” Speaking to The Hill, Hogan said, “I’ve already called him out when he was questioning her racial identity, and now he’s questioning her mental competence. It’s insulting not just to the vice president but to people with mental disabilities.”
Hogan further argued that Trump’s divisive rhetoric continues to harm the country. “I’ve said for years that Trump’s divisive rhetoric is something we could do without. He’s his own worst enemy,” Hogan said. “I’m very concerned about the toxic and divisive politics that continue back and forth. It’s what people are so fed up with. It’s why they want to change Washington.”
During his rally, Trump continued his attacks, claiming, “Joe Biden became mentally impaired. Kamala was born that way… And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country.”
As Trump’s rhetoric grows more inflammatory, critics across the political spectrum are calling for a shift away from such toxic language, hoping for a more civil and productive political climate in the coming months.
