Donald Trump

Gauging SNL's Impact on American Politics Over the Years

This is by no means the first time NBC’s sketch comedy show has thrown itself into the electoral lion’s den

"Saturday Night Live" returns this weekend for its 42nd season, and just in the nick of time as we stand 38 days until the presidential election. Alec Baldwin will make his SNL debut as Republican nominee Donald Trump, while Emmy winner Kate McKinnon rehashes her already fabled role as Hillary Clinton.

Mining politics for comedic fodder has been a strength of SNL over the decades. Chevy Chase made millions laugh as Gerald Ford in the 1970s, and more recently, Tina Fey invoked vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin to hilarious effect.

NBC News covers how "SNL" has affected American politics over the years.

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