Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live just days before Election Day, Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris made a memorable cameo, playing a “mirror image” of herself in a lighthearted skit that poked fun at her own laugh, campaign pressures, and the quirks of political life. As The New York Post reported, Harris joined forces with SNL alum Maya Rudolph, who has famously impersonated the vice president, for a humorous moment of self-reflection in the show’s cold open.

The skit opened with a spoofed CNN newscast that cut to comedian James Austin Johnson’s take on former President Donald Trump, dressed in the same orange vest he wore at a recent campaign rally. The spotlight then shifted to Maya Rudolph’s Harris, along with comedic impersonations of Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, played by Andy Samberg, and Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, portrayed by Jim Gaffigan. Dana Carvey made a guest appearance as President Joe Biden, rounding out the ensemble in a star-studded skit.

In the skit, Rudolph’s Kamala Harris clears the room, announcing, “I need a moment to myself,” before gazing into a mirror. As she mused, “I wish I could talk to someone in my shoes,” the real Kamala Harris appeared in the reflection, receiving a roaring applause from the live studio audience. Harris, grinning ear-to-ear, greeted her impersonator with a spirited, “You and me both, sister!”

Harris used the mirror scene to offer herself a playful pep talk. “I’m here to remind you, you’ve got this,” she said to Rudolph, embodying a sense of confidence as she joked about her opponent’s limitations. “You can do something your opponent can’t do: you can open doors.” This line brought laughter from the audience, as it cleverly referenced Harris’ campaign themes of unity and opportunity.

The duo didn’t shy away from poking fun at Harris’ often-memed laugh, which has been widely recognized as one of her signature traits. When Rudolph let out a loud, exaggerated “Kamala cackle,” Harris humorously asked, “I don’t really laugh like that, do I?” This self-deprecating moment was met with cheers, showcasing Harris’ ability to laugh at her own quirks as she leaned into the final stretch of the campaign.

Together, the pair played up the unique qualities of Harris’ personality, with a nod to her name that’s often been subject to playful wordplay. Harris joked about how she would “end the dramala” of politics if elected, and both she and Rudolph chimed in with a lighthearted, “Keep Kamala and Carry Onala.” The slogan played on Harris’ campaign messaging, suggesting a calm, forward-thinking approach to the turbulent political landscape.

The skit wrapped up with Rudolph’s “Harris” declaring, “I’m gonna vote for us,” to which the real Kamala Harris quipped, “Any chance you’re registered in Pennsylvania?” This line referenced the critical importance of swing states in the election, with Pennsylvania being one of the most closely watched battlegrounds. It was a subtle reminder to the audience of the urgency and importance of voter turnout in key states—a fitting closing for a politically themed SNL skit just days before the election.

As The New York Post report highlighted, Harris’ SNL cameo marks a final media push in her campaign, allowing her to connect with audiences in a relaxed and humorous setting. The skit offered a glimpse into her personality and ability to embrace the spotlight in a way that felt both approachable and light-hearted. By sharing the screen with her comedic double, Harris demonstrated her  sense of humor and resilience amid the pressures of a presidential campaign.

However, as The New York Post report indicated, Harris’ appearance was met with both enthusiasm inside the studio and hostility outside. When her motorcade left the Rockefeller Center studios, anti-Israel protesters gathered outside, chanting “Murderer, murderer, murderer!” in response to her stance on Israel and recent Middle East policy statements.

Harris’ cameo on SNL also sparked a strong response from the Trump campaign, which took aim at her decision to appear on the show in the final days of the election season. The report in The New York Post said that Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, criticized Harris’ appearance, describing it as an elitist distraction. “Kamala Harris has nothing substantive to offer the American people, so that’s why she’s living out her warped fantasy cosplaying with her elitist friends on Saturday Night Leftists as her campaign spirals down the drain into obscurity,” Cheung told Fox News, as cited by The New York Post. Cheung went on to argue that Harris’ policies over the past four years had caused “untold misery and hurt” for Americans, a claim meant to position Trump as the candidate who would repair the damage.

This criticism aligns with the Trump campaign’s efforts to portray Harris as out of touch with everyday Americans, contrasting her SNL appearance with Trump’s active campaigning. While Harris was using her cameo to connect with a broader audience, the Trump campaign framed it as an out-of-touch move in the midst of what they consider a failing campaign.

The SNL episode continued its politically themed satire with a later sketch featuring the evening’s host, John Mulaney, playing a liberal game show contestant. According to The New York Post report, the sketch poked fun at political memory, showing Mulaney’s character struggling to recall Senator Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton’s running mate in the 2016 election. The bit illustrated the sometimes ephemeral nature of political figures, even ones who ran on a national ticket. In the sketch, Kaine appeared in person, incredulous that Mulaney’s character didn’t recognize him, saying, “You voted for me four years ago!”

The sketch served as a satirical reminder of how quickly political figures can fade from the public’s memory. While it provided comic relief, it also subtly commented on the fleeting nature of political fame and how voters’ focus can shift dramatically with each election cycle.

Harris’ SNL appearance came amid a busy day of campaigning, with stops in Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, as she squeezed in last-minute appeals to voters in crucial swing states. As per the information provided in The New York Post report, Harris’ Southern stops reflect her campaign’s focus on states that have emerged as battlegrounds, with both North Carolina and Georgia considered pivotal in determining the election’s outcome. The visit calls attention to her campaign’s recognition of the importance of voter turnout in these areas, which have shown increased voter engagement in recent years.

The timing of her appearance on SNL, just 60 hours before polls close, is consistent with the show’s long-standing history of hosting political figures. Both SNL and politicians have mutually benefited from these appearances, which allow candidates to showcase a more humorous, personable side of themselves.

The New York Post report indicated that Harris’ appearance on SNL follows a tradition of presidential candidates and sitting presidents joining the iconic comedy show. Former Vice President Al Gore, Senator John McCain, and Donald Trump himself have all hosted episodes of SNL. Trump made two notable appearances as host: once in 2004 and again in 2015, during his presidential campaign. These appearances have historically provided politicians with a platform to engage with audiences in a lighthearted setting, bridging the gap between politics and entertainment.

Saturday Night Live’s ability to blend political satire with real-life appearances has established the show as a unique venue for candidates to reach the American public. Past presidents, including Gerald Ford and Barack Obama, also made appearances on the show, demonstrating how politicians from both parties have used SNL as a platform to connect with voters. Ford appeared in the show’s second season in 1976, and Obama appeared in 2018, further cementing the show’s role in the cultural landscape of American politics.

The reaction to Harris’ SNL appearance illustrates the dual challenges faced by candidates when they engage in lighthearted media appearances. While SNL allows candidates to reach a broad audience, it also opens them up to criticism and contrasting interpretations. As The New York Post reported, Harris’ exit from the studio was marked by vocal protests, reflecting the polarizing nature of her candidacy and her stance on international issues. For Harris, the appearance was an opportunity to showcase her humor and relatability, even as protesters outside expressed discontent with her policies.