‘SNL’ Sings Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ In Season Finale Send-Off To Trump

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By Dave Goldiner May 21, 2017

‘Saturday Night Live’ used Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ to send a hilarious season finale shot at President Trump.

Alec Baldwin opened the show by playing Trump and crooning his version of the last Jewish songwriter’s classic, defending himself against various perceived plots against him.

He was joined by other characters who have mocked Trump’s inner circle since his election including Kate McKinnon playing a new role as advisor Kellyanne Conway.

There was even a cameo by Scarlett Johannson reprising her role as Ivanka Trump.

It was all a flashback to the weekend after Trump’s shocking November win, a week that also saw the death of Cohen.

But there was a hint at the real-life dark mood that has enveloped Trump as investigations into his purported campaign ties with Russia and firing of FBI Director James Comey hit closer to home.

“I’m not giving up because I didn’t do anything wrong,” Baldwin sang. “But I can’t say the same for these people.”

Dave Goldiner is the Forward’s director of digital media. Dave is a veteran journalist who has spent two decades working at newspapers in the United States and Africa. A native New Yorker, Goldiner wrote for the New York Daily News, where he covered some of the biggest stories of our time, including the attacks of September 11, along with thousands of stories of hope and heartbreak. He also studied and worked in Southern Africa and has written for publications in South Africa and Zimbabwe. He holds masters degrees in journalism and public administration from Columbia University. Dave can be reached at goldiner@forward.com, or follow him on Twitter @davegoldiner

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