Kamala Harris flew to New York City for an appearance on “Saturday Night Live” days before the presidential election.

The Democratic presidential nominee participated in a skit talking to herself in the mirror.

WATCH:

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr called the appearance a “clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule.”

“The purpose of the rule is to avoid exactly this type of biased and partisan conduct – a licensed broadcaster using the public airwaves to exert its influence for one candidate on the eve of an election. Unless the broadcaster offered Equal Time to other qualifying campaigns,” Carr said.

“In the 2016 cycle, President Obama’s FCC Chair made clear that the agency would enforce the Equal Time rule when candidate Trump went on SNL. NBC stations publicly filed Equal Opportunity notices to ensure that all other qualifying candidates could obtain Equal Time if they sought it. Stations did the same thing when Clinton appeared on SNL,” Carr continued.

“Federal law requires that broadcasters provide comparable time and placement to all legally qualified candidates when the Equal Time rule is triggered. With only days before the election, NBC appears to have structured this appearance in a way that evades these requirements. What comparable time and placement can they offer all other qualifying candidates?” Carr said.

“Just weeks ago, SNL’s Lorne Michaels said that they *would not* be bringing any of the candidates on due to election and equal time laws,” Carr added.

“You can’t bring the actual people who are running on because of election laws and the equal time provisions,” Michaels said, according to Carr.

Per Fox News:

Harris wasn’t the only Democrat to make a cameo on the show.

Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016, also appeared in a skit where a contestant in a game show couldn’t remember who Kaine was.

Numerous politicians have appeared as themselves on SNL over the years, including Trump, who hosted the show in 2015 as a presidential candidate. He also hosted in 2004. The show has made no secret of its disdain for the Republican candidate and celebrated his defeat at Biden’s hands in 2020.

Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin and John McCain also appeared as themselves on SNL during their previous runs for high office.

Harris also faced criticism for the skit itself, with some saying she copied Trump.

“Kamala Harris SNL skit DIRECTLY copied Trump’s from 2015. Can she do ANYTHING original at all?” journalist Nick Sortor wrote.

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According to the New York Post, Trump’s skit with Jimmy Fallon was on “The Tonight Show” in 2015.

From the New York Post:

Viewers noticed the concept and set looked strikingly familiar to Donald Trump’s sketch on Jimmy Fallon’s “The Tonight Show” show spot from when he was running for president on Sept. 12, 2015.

Jimmy Fallon, a former “Saturday Night Live” member, portrayed Trump during the airing of his late-night talk show.

He sat down at what looked like nearly the exact dressing room mirror, saying “Wow, I look fantastic” when Trump – just like Kamala – appeared on the other side of the mirror.

“No, we look fantastic and I mean really fantastic,” Trump said.

The two Trumps discussed preparing for the then-second Republican Primary Debate, creating jobs, immigration, taxes, his potential vice president pick and him being “really rich.”

In both skits, which aired on NBC programs, the comedians mirrored the politicians’ hand movements and expressions as they spoke.

Viewers didn’t shy away from pointing out the similar sketches.

“Kamala ripped off the same bit Trump did when he was on Saturday Night Live in 2015 …and Trump’s was double the length,” radio host Ari Hoffman said on X.

“Kamala on SNL can’t even be ORIGINAL… had to plagiarize Trump and his much funnier skit. She’s soooo CRINGE,” another user commented.

Harris held campaign rallies in Atlanta and Charlotte, NC. earlier Saturday before she traveled to 30 Rock for her “SNL” spot. She left the building shortly after her appearance and landed in Detroit early Sunday.

 

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