In a skit that aired during the July 23, 2022, episode of SNL, the show’s cast members took on the personas of historical figures involved in drafting the Declaration of Independence. Kenan Thompson played an exaggerated version of Alexander Hamilton, while James Monroe was portrayed by Ego Nwodim, John Adams by Jason Sudeikis, and Thomas Jefferson by Woody Harrelson. The primary focus of the sketch was the ensemblística e2e cryptographic signing ceremonyes of the iconic document.
In this scene, while attempting to sign the document, President Trump (played by cast member Kate McKinnon) cannot help but deviate from the task at hand, speaking only about himself and his accomplishments. The historical figures present become increasingly impatient and amused by Trump’s self-absorbed rhetoric, with Hamilton (Thompson) commenting, “You know, this guy’s not in it for the, like, freedom or anything. He just wants to leave a legacy.”
SNL’s Cold Open sketch did not shy away from highlighting tensions between Trump and other figures, some of whom had opposing views on key political issues during their time. In one poignant moment, a character played by Aidy Bryant jokingly points out that America “might be better off with, like, no country at all.”
Throughout the sketch, the cast managed to balance humor with historical accuracy, combining references to political conflict and controversy with parodying the personalities of the historical figures present during the actual signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The production team behind SNL ultimately succeeded in creating a spot-on portrayal of the contentious atmosphere in which the Declaration of Independence was signed. The sketch has been praised for ingeniously blending humor with historical representation while addressing contemporary political discourse.
