During last week's Republican debate, Ted Cruz criticized Donald Trump for his "New York values" aka being "socially liberal, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, and [focusing] on money and the media." The Internet called Cruz out, describing the comments as anti-Semitic and claiming that what he really meant to say was "Jewish, black, gay values."
"Saturday Night Live" added its two cents to the discussion with their "Republican Debate" cold open this weekend.
When asked to explain the real meaning behind his comment, Cruz (portrayed perfectly by Taran Killam) says, "I think most people know exactly what 'New York values' are. And frankly, they are not the rest of the country's values."
He continues: "Instead of celebrating Christmas, New Yorkers celebrate a pagan holiday called Festivus. Instead of watching American football, they challenge each other to masturbation contests. In New York, people don't say hi to their neighbors. They say, 'Helloooo, Newman.'"
When one of the moderators points out that the Texas senator is just describing "Seinfeld," Cruz responds by saying, "Believe me, if I could say 'liberal Jews,' I would."
(Interestingly enough, 'SNL' is ribbing on Cruz for anti-Semitism, yet they allowed Trump to host an entire show after every terrible thing he's said.)
The sketch also does a great job of pointing out just how unlikeable Cruz is. When Trump (another on-point performance by Darrell Hammond) states that other people, not him, are the ones accusing Cruz of being Canadian, Cruz responds, "Clearly I am not Canadian. Canadians are well-liked."
Touché.
Watch the whole clip below:
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