It’s no secret that the current Saturday Night Live team has a deep and abiding love for Beyoncé. (See “The Beygency” and “The Day Beyoncé Turned Black” for proof of just how far her SNL reach extends). Last night’s Emily Blunt-hosted episode delivered another lovingly crafted piece of Beyoncé worship in the form of the “Sorry”-esque “Melanianade.” In it, Melania Trump (alongside fellow female Trump loyalists Omarosa, Kellyanne Conway, and daughters Ivanka and Tiffany) finally reach the breaking point with the Donald’s various incidents of (alleged) sexual harassment and assault.
In another of the exquisitely executed music videos the show’s become known for in the last few seasons, “Melanianade” sees the women in Trump’s life saying “Sorry / I’m not sorry” to images of Alec Baldwin’s Trump as he scowls from big screen TVs, says that thing he said on that bus, and brings Paula Jones to spook Hillary Clinton at last week’s debate. (“There goes my friendship with Chelsea Clinton,” sings Blunt’s Ivanka.)
Similarly, Kate McKinnon’s Conway is fed up with apologizing for the Republican candidate, Vanessa Bayer’s Tiffany is jealous of being “the other sister” (and rebrands herself “Tiff Maples”), and Sasheer Zamata’s Omarosa resigns as Trump’s “one black friend.” But it’s the betrayed and beleaguered Melania in the Beyoncé role, putting up four fingers (instead of Beyoncé’s single digit) to wave “bye bye” and tell Donald (with the bad hair?) to fix his own damned bald spot. Even Beck Bennett’s Mike Pence gets in on the act, complaining “He only wants me when I’m not there” while mimicking Bey’s sexy, cross-legged pose.
Sadly, the power of Beyoncé can only do so much, as all five immediately snap out of their empowered state once Baldwin’s Trump bursts snaps his fingers. Plus, Melania can’t help but claim sole writing credit.