The White House was reportedly 'rattled' by Melissa McCarthy's impression of Sean Spicer

pulse

February 7, 2017 5:55 PM

Irrationally angry characters are Melissa McCarthy’s strong suit, but the White House is reportedly not a fan of her take on press secretary Sean Spicer.

Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer on "Saturday Night Live."

Actress Melissa McCarthy made a guest appearance on "Saturday Night Live" as White House press secretary Sean Spicer in a sketch that quickly went viral over the weekend.

McCarthy's portrayal isn't friendly — her version of Spicer obnoxiously chews gum, calls everybody Glenn, makes up facts, and shoots soap into reporters' mouths with a water gun.

Irrationally angry characters are McCarthy's strong suit, but the White House is reportedly not a fan. According to Politico, in a story that says the White House was "rattled" by the spoof, sources close to Trump said that to him, the most problematic thing about the impression is that it was done by a woman.

An unnamed Trump donor also told Politico, "Trump doesn't like his people to look weak."

Some expected backlash from Trump, since he has responded online to Alec Baldwin's impression of him, but he has been silent.

On Monday, Spicer addressed the sketch in an interview with Extra, saying jokingly that McCarthy "needs to slow down on the gum chewing — way too many pieces in there."

But despite Spicer's more genial response, Politico reports that "the caricature of Spicer by McCarthy struck a nerve and was upsetting to the press secretary and to his allies, who immediately saw how damaging it could be in Trump world."

Those around Trump saw the sketch as harmful precisely because it was accurate, according to Politico.

"I thought they had Sean down pretty good," one Trump ally told Politico.

The White House Press Office did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

pulse