The Real Reason Donald Trump and Kamala Harris Won't Be Appearing on 'SNL'
If you were hoping for a cameo from either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live this fall, I'm sorry to burst your bubble. Neither presidential hopeful will be appearing in the historic Studio 8H for Season 50. At least until after the election on Nov. 5, 2024 that is.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, SNL creator and longtime producer Lorne Michaels firmly stated that there would be no cameos in the upcoming weeks and gave a reason why.
Related: Meet the Cast of SNL Season 50
“You can’t bring the actual people who are running on because of election laws and the equal time provisions,” he stated. “You can’t have the main candidates without having all the candidates, and there are lots of minor candidates that are only on the ballot in, like, three states and that becomes really complicated.”
So basically the only way that Kamala Harris could legally show up on SNL before the election would be if she had Trump, Jill Stein, RFK Jr., etc. all in tow. However, these rules, launched by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as part of the Communications Act of 1934, only apply to those running for office. That means that post-Nov. 5, we very well could see Harris and her doppelganger Maya Rudolph side-by-side or Trump returning to the stage.
Related: SNL Taps A-List Comedian to Play Tim Walz Alongside Maya Rudolph's Kamala Harris
If you're wondering about those times back in 2015 when Donald Trump hosted SNL or Hillary Clinton appeared alongside Kate McKinnon, those were both long prior to the candidates securing their party's nomination.
While past presidents Gerald R. Ford, George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama all also made cameo appearances on Saturday Night Live, only Ford did so as president, Bush appeared after his presidency and Obama appeared in 2007 prior to the general election.
It seems unlikely, due to the contentious relationship between Trump and SNL over the years that he would be invited back on the show if he wins in November, but if Harris claims victory, it seems likely that she'll meet Maya Rudolph at some point. Here's hoping its on the SNL stage.
Related: 'SNL' Reveals First Five Hosts and Musical Guests for Season 50