Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump is scheduled to host “Saturday Night Live” tonight following weeks of protest from immigrant rights groups, Latino politicians, celebrities and casual observers.
Despite the controversy over the Republican candidate’s anti-immigration comments, SNL has stuck to their guns and “The Donald” will be joining the cast on the comedy staple’s fourth episode of the 41st season.
WATCH: Latino advocacy groups calling on NBC to cancel Trump’s appearance on SNL
Despite the attention Trump’s appearance has garnered, it is far from the first time a political figure has been on the show. Here’s a list of some other notable politicians who have graced the stage at 30 Rock.
The early years of Saturday Night Live saw U.S. Rep. Julian Bond guest host the show in April 1977, the first of eight politicians to do so. Only one of those – the Rev. Al Sharpton, in 2003 – was actively involved in a presidential bid at the time.
Former Sen. George McGovern was guest host in April 1984, and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson took a shot at it in October of the same year. Mayors of New York have also hosted the show with Rudolph Giuliani appearing in November 1977 and Ed Koch in May 1983.
Of the more than two dozen politicians who have made cameo appearances, President Gerald Ford was the first, appearing in April 1976 as he was seeking re-election. More recent memorable appearances:
Hillary Rodham Clinton, 2015:
Coming off a summer dominated by questions over her use of a private email server, Clinton took a starring turn as bartender “Val” in an October appearance. In the skit, Clinton offered a sympathetic ear to Kate McKinnon’s Clinton impersonation while poking fun at her late opposition to the Keystone pipeline and support of same-sex marriage.
Sarah Palin, 2008:
Then-vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, lampooned hilariously by Tina Fey, got some revenge when she made an appearance on the show. In her skit, real Palin appeared beside fake Palin at a mock press conference and was complimented on her looks by Fey’s “30 Rock” co-star Alec Baldwin.
John McCain, 2008:
On the eve of the 2008 presidential election, then-Republican nominee John McCain appeared alongside Palin, played by Fey, in a skit mocking their campaign’s financial disadvantage against then-Sen. Barack Obama. Appealing on the shopping channel QVC, the pair hawked commemorative plates, action figures and jewelry.
Barack Obama, 2007:
Obama appeared on the show in 2007 in a skit depicting Hillary and Bill Clinton’s Halloween party featuring the then-Democratic candidates. Toward the end, a man walked in wearing an Obama mask, which he removed to reveal it was really Obama. “I have nothing to hide,” he told Clinton. “I enjoy being myself. I’m not going to change who I am just because it’s Halloween.”
– With files from The Associated Press
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