SNL Lampoons Trump-Zelensky Meeting Amid Satirical Extravaganza
In a surprisingly intense meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, tensions seemed high enough to spark an international incident, potentially straining the bonds between the United States and Europe. Yet, for “Saturday Night Live,” this heated exchange served as perfect comedic material in the first episode following its 50th-anniversary gala.
This latest episode, with Shane Gillis hosting and music from Tate McRae, whimsically commenced with a voice-over cheerily noting how the Trump-Zelensky meeting went “really, really well,” humorously implying that the world felt much safer afterwards.
Depicting the meeting, Mikey Day portrayed Zelensky while James Austin Johnson reprised his role as Trump, farcically introducing himself as “President and CEO of Gaza Hotel and Casino.” Trump absurdly mentions welcoming Zelensky into a “big, beautiful trap” planned for an attack.
Bowen Yang brought Vice President JD Vance to life, humorously quipping, “Watch out, ‘cause this kitty’s got claws.” Johnson playfully inquired Hernández, portraying Secretary of State Marco Rubio, “Are you excited to attack our European ally?” With comedic timing, Hernández blankly responded, “Um, no Inglés.”
Johnson further jested by commenting on Zelensky’s outfit as “casual ‘Star Trek,’” expressing his fondness for the sci-fi franchise because “there’s no D.E.I.,” with the leadership whimsically noted as mostly white. Jokingly implying, “the white guy was the leader, and Spock, I believe, was Guatemalan,” he jestingly requested that Zelensky apologize to Russian President Vladimir Putin, perhaps offering “one night with your wife.”
Day’s character barely begins to respond before Yang erupts into a comic tirade: “I have to jump in here because that’s how we planned this,” admonishing about the lack of thanks voiced. This setup acts as a gag for further antics as Johnson remarks on Hernández’s Rubio who appears “fully dissociating,” likening him to “Homer Simpson disappearing into that hedge.”
Johnson, equipped with a whimsical array of cards referencing Uno and Monopoly, jokingly taunts Day about holding strategic cards like “Reverse” and a “Get Out of Jail Free” card.
The sketch intensifies as SNL alum Mike Myers makes a cameo appearance as Elon Musk, theatrically brandishing a chainsaw, farcically rationalizing layoffs under “Government Efficiency” as whims of personal desire.
Opening Monologue of the Week
Shane Gillis, a stand-up comic once controversially axed from “SNL” before officially joining the cast, returned despite past flak over offensive podcast content. Hosting for a second time, Gillis fearlessly treaded where few comics dare, bringing humor to topics like Trump’s whimsical ideas (such as buying Greenland) and quips about Biden’s verbal gaffes.
Gillis humorously likened liberalism’s strength to that of the Sith from “Star Wars,” playfully mimicking Emperor Palpatine with imaginary lightning bolts. His routines tactfully engaged with often avoided topics such as interracial relationships and critiqued traditional documentaries like Ken Burns’ “The Civil War,” likening its soporific effects on women to Cosby’s alleged antics.
Fake Advertisement of the Week
In a refreshingly light-hearted segment, Gillis starred in an ad for CouplaBeers—a tongue-in-cheek “pharmaceutical” product touted as the solution to life’s stresses, consisting mainly of beer. With a wink, it suggests varying dosage perceptions while casually introducing a sidekick product, aLilBump, for any resulting drowsiness.
Weekend Update Jokes of the Week
Colin Jost and Michael Che kept the laughs coming at Weekend Update, commenting on Trump’s narrative with Zelensky and an AI-generated Gaza promotional featuring the bizarre concept of a Trump hotel.
Jost humorously recapped their meeting like a speculative gamble with sever consequences, “You’re gambling with World War III,” while Che highlighted an absurd advertisement comically satirizing both Trump and familiar Middle Eastern themes.
Weekend Update Desk Segment of the Week
The episode, loaded with tension and humor, closed with Jane Wickline’s musical performance purportedly designed to win hearts. However, it amusingly revolved around the moral quandary of the Trolley Problem, showcasing “SNL’s” knack for turning complex philosophical dilemmas into comedic ditties.