Just hours after Liz Magill resigned as president of the University of Pennsylvania over the evasive answers she and two other academic leaders gave during a House hearing this week, they were mocked on the Saturday Night Live cold open.
So does Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), the Trump-supporting congresswoman whose questions nonetheless sparked a bipartisan uproar aimed at college presidents who have faced weeks of protests on their campuses over the Israel-Gaza war. When asked whether someone calling for ‘genocide of the Jews’ would violate the schools code of conduct, they did not answer “yes” or “no” but gave nuanced answers.
In the SNL sketch that aired as C-SPAN coverage, the three university presidents gave even more obscure answers.
As an upbeat MAGA star, Stefanik, played by Chloe Troast, yells at college presidents.
“Yes or No! Does Calling for Genocide Against Jews Violate Harvard’s Code of Conduct?”
“Well, it depends on the context,” replied Dr. Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard.
Stefanik replied: “That can’t be your answer: UPenn lady, same question, yes or no?”
Magill responds: “Well, we are serious about ending all forms of hatred, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.”
Stefanik reprimands her and then turns to dr. Sally Kornbluth, president of MIT, and asked her the question. “And remember: if you don’t say yes, you will succeed I looks good, that is really really hard to do. So I’m going to ask you right now. Do you think genocide is bad?”
“Can I submit a written response at a later date?” Kornbluth answered.
Then Stefanik says surprised: “Am I winning this trial?” Someone pinch me!”
While the three university presidents expressed their relief, another member of the committee returned Stefanik’s time.
“I am here today because there is no place for hate speech on university campuses. Hate speech has its place in Congress, on Elon Musk’s Twitter, at private dinners with my donors and in public speeches with my husband Donald Trump.”
There is more to come.
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
