Saturday Night Live didn’t hold back in mocking the infamous Oval Office showdown between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The cold open of the show brought the drama to life in true SNL fashion, featuring a comedic portrayal of the heated moment with a chainsaw-wielding Mike Myers playing Elon Musk.
Trump and Zelensky in the Spotlight
Comedian James Austin Johnson portrayed Trump, delivering a cold open filled with sharp humor.
The sketch kicked off with Johnson’s Trump welcoming Zelensky to the “incredible trap” that is the White House.
The joke landed with a mix of sarcasm, as Trump quipped, “It’s going to be a big, beautiful trap, and we’re going to attack him very soon for no reason, right?”
Mikey Day took on the role of Zelensky, while Bowen Yang played an overly enthusiastic Vice President JD Vance.
The skit didn’t shy away from making light of Zelensky’s choice of attire, with Trump mocking him for showing up to the Oval Office in “a t-shirt and jeans like a garbage person.”
Mike Myers as Musk Steals the Show
The surprise moment of the sketch came when Mike Myers appeared in the background as Elon Musk, revving up a red chainsaw while wearing his signature black jeans and tech support t-shirt.
This directly parodied a real-life moment when Musk appeared with a chainsaw at the CPAC event.
Trump, in the sketch, hilariously praised Musk’s look, saying, “Elon we love your outfit, very official and very respectful. And I love when he gets that chainsaw right to my head.”
The parody took a jab at Musk’s influence in the Oval Office with the character proclaiming, “This is my office now,” before shouting “legalize comedy.”
The Sketch Gets Political with Satire
SNL didn’t stop there. The sketch continued with Trump making comments about mass firings in the government, with Musk’s character chiming in, “We love mass firings because you don’t have to know what any of their names are or what exactly they do.”
This was a dig at the ongoing controversies surrounding Musk’s handling of businesses and employees.
The absurdity escalated when “Big Balls,” a fake employee from Musk’s company DOGE, bragged about firing a black general and a female admiral.
The line was another pointed critique of the real-world issues involving workplace culture and leadership decisions.
Musk’s character responded, “DOUCHE is going to be epic! DOUCHE is going to really clean everything out well,” making the most of the absurd name for a new initiative.
Trump’s Big Reveal: The Epstein Files
The sketch took a further twist when the parody Trump ended the cold open by announcing, “And to cap off an amazing week, we’re going to finally release the Epstein Files.”
The line was a nod to ongoing conspiracy theories, with Trump declaring that America would soon see “all the names, from A to S. No T.”
Behind the Scenes at SNL
This episode also marked Shane Gillis’ second time hosting, with musical guest Tate McRae performing.
Gillis, who was previously fired from SNL in 2019 for offensive remarks, made a comeback last year.
His return was a big moment for the show, alongside the inclusion of Myers, who had stepped into the role of Elon Musk after Dana Carvey.
The Real-Life Fallout of the Oval Office Tension
The actual Oval Office confrontation had a much different tone, playing out as a high-stakes moment between two world leaders.
After the cameras left, Zelensky was reportedly asked to leave the White House, though he later spoke on Fox News about the incident.
Zelensky expressed his desire for Trump to be “more on our side” and refused to apologize for the altercation, indicating the tense political climate.
In his interview, Zelensky stated, “We have to be honest and we have to be direct with each other.
Nobody wants to finish more than we because we are in this war, in this battle for freedom for our lives.”
His call for Trump to align more closely with Ukraine’s position was a clear indication of the ongoing diplomatic struggles.
SNL’s Political Commentary
By parodying the Oval Office drama, SNL took aim at the absurdity of the situation while drawing attention to the real-world political ramifications.
The show’s blend of humor and sharp political commentary provided a much-needed laugh amid the ongoing tension between the US and Ukraine.