Cecily Strong backed out of SNL antisemitism sketch after role as Elise Stefanik made her 'uncomfortable': report

It has been revealed that former Saturday Night Live star Cecily Strong had originally been cast to play Rep. Elise Stefanik in the show's widely lambasted sketch about the recent congressional hearing wherein the presidents of the United States' top universities were grilled over their handling of antisemitism on campus.

After taking part in the dress rehearsal, Strong backed out at the last minute, and was replaced by newcomer Chloe Troast.

According to the New York Post, sources familiar with the matter said "there were a variety of reasons" Strong opted not to proceed, noting that, above all else, she was "uncomfortable with the sketch."

Her sentiments were shared by many viewers of the show, with the opening sketch garnering widespread criticism online over its portrayal of Stefanik as the villain.

"That skit last night was disgusting," one social media user commented on Troast's latest Instagram post, per the Post. "You tried to represent Elise Stefanik as the annoying/ bad guy. You should have more tact than that. The real hearing was an snl skit that wrote itself. idk how you made it about your hatred for republicans and showed how little you care about blatant antisemitism."

"How's it feel to make enemies of an entire nation under attack just to take down a strong woman defending Jewish lives but she has an R next to her name not a D - so she must be mocked..." another user wrote, slamming the entire SNL crew. "Seems like blatant misogyny and bigotry. Who wrote this sketch please tag the writers!"

The sketch opened with Troast saying she was going to "start screaming questions at [the university presidents] like I'm Billy Eichner," referring to the comedian who made a name for himself bumbling through New York City giving unsuspecting passersby pop quizzes for cash.

"Anisemitism, yea or nay?" she yelled. "Yes or no. Is calling for the genocide of Jews against the code of conduct for Harvard?"

The sketch went on to suggest that Stefanik was fine with calling out antisemitism but not islamophobia, with Troast adding, "hate speech has no place on college campuses. Hate speech belongs in Congress, on Elon Musk's Twitter, in private dinners with my donors, and in public speeches by my work husband, Donald Trump."