Nikki Haley played herself on a recent “Saturday Night Live” episode, poking fun at her own debate avoidance with former President Donald Trump. The segment featured a town hall scene in which Haley, portrayed by actress Ayo Edebiri, famously stumbled over a question about the cause of the Civil War. Instead of asserting that it was slavery, Haley stumbled by only mentioning the role of government. By appearing on “SNL,” she was able to correct her previous mistake, showing a sense of humor about the situation and capitalizing on the opportunity to define herself. The sketch also poked fun at the relationship between Haley and Trump, highlighting that he has mistaken her for Pelosi in the past and making sexist comments about her ability to manage money as a woman.
During the “Saturday Night Live” appearance, Trump and Haley humorously bantered in character. At one point, Trump poked fun at Haley, suggesting she was incapable of managing money, to which she responded by pointing out his own legal troubles and possible need for monetary assistance. The skit during “SNL” allowed Haley to step into the spotlight and present herself in a humorous, self-aware manner, shifting the conversation around her avoidance of a debate with Trump. Overall, this unexpected appearance on “SNL” gave Haley the chance to correct her previous misstep and demonstrate that she is able to remain composed even in a lighthearted, comedic setting.