In their latest attempt to satirize American politics, Saturday Night Live (SNL) aired a sketch regarding President Bidens State of the Union address which, in my conservative view, was a distasteful and biased representation, skewing both the address itself and the Republican response. The sketch depicts President Biden as overly energetic and somewhat erratic, which is a mischaracterization of the controlled and poised manner a presidential address demands.
The skits portrayal of Biden taking selfies en route to the podium and chugging a Celsius energy drink before his speech paints an unprofessional picture of the presidency. The presidency should be a symbol of dignity and responsibility, yet SNLs writers seem to have abandoned this respect for sensationalism. Biden’s frenetic behavior during the speech, urging the Speaker to hurry and jovially prompting Vice President Kamala Harris to prepare for vigorous applause, detracts from the gravitas of the office he occupies. While humor provides relief, it is essential it remains respectful of the institution.
President Bidens policy, particularly on immigration and border control, is transformed into a punchline about his predecessor, which not only simplifies a complex issue but also directs undue animosity toward former President Trump. This reproach ignores the serious nature of policy discussion that should be reflective during a State of the Union address, neglecting the fact that these issues require hard-hitting analysis and not snide remarks.
What’s even more disparaging is SNLs interpretation of the Republican response. The transition to the Republican Senator Katie Britt’s rebuttal is framed negatively, as if her presence alone would bolster Bidens standing—a clear dig against her competence before she even speaks. The script denouncing our country as hell and painting Britt as a hysterical figure—in her own words, the craziest bitch in the Target parking lot—feeds into the stereotype that conservative, Southern women are unhinged, an insulting caricature that lacks any semblance of truth or wit. Britt stands as a senator and should command respect; using her position to peddle a belittled trope is insulting not only to her but to those she represents.
The SNL skit, with its emphasis on theatrics rather than substantial critique, highlights the division that entertainment can perpetuate in political discourse. As a conservative and someone who admires the diligent work that our political figures undertake, I find the portrayal of both President Biden and Senator Britt to be a disservice to meaningful discussion. While satire has always played a role in politics, it is the responsibility of outlets like SNL to ensure that their approach to comedy doesnt undermine the tenets of democracy or disrespect the offices that hold it together.
