* This website participates in the Amazon Affiliate Program and earns from qualifying purchases.
Is Saturday Night Live back on its A-game? This past weekend, the iconic sketch comedy show delivered a sharp and humorous take on President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, poking fun at the outrageous executive orders he has signed. From making it socially acceptable for older men to date younger women to renaming a recession, SNL’s cold open was both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Returning to its roots, SNL opened the show in the Oval Office with James Austin Johnson portraying Trump, alongside Mikey Day as White House advisor Stephen Miller. The sketch commenced with Johnson’s Trump boasting about his impressive tally of 147 executive orders, which he claimed ranged from "banning paper straws to defunding PBS." This remark set the tone for a whirlwind of absurd yet strikingly relatable satire, addressing issues relevant to Trump’s administration.
One of the standout moments featured a mock executive order referred to as the "Belichick Law," which Johnson’s Trump explained would allow men in their 70s to date much younger women without social stigma. This cheeky reference to NFL coach Bill Belichick and his romantic relationship with a woman nearly 50 years his junior sparked laughter, with Trump saying, "We’re going to make girlfriends young again. Old men can now date far younger women.” The commentary touches on a cultural narrative that resonates widely, making the audience both chuckle and cringe.
But the humor didn’t stop there. The sketch cleverly included another absurd executive order aiming to reduce the number of interracial couples featured in TV commercials, highlighting the real-life implications of some policies from Trump’s administration targeting diversity in media. Johnson’s Trump quipped about the frequency of diverse couples in kitchen commercials, delivering an amusing yet critical commentary on societal trends and representation.
The cold open was packed with more outrageous orders, such as a decree forbidding Hispanic babies from getting their ears pierced and another that whimsically shortened the term "recession" to "recess." With Trump declaring, “America, get ready for a historically long recess,” the punchline served as a satirical jab at the economic climate, reminding viewers of the seriousness behind the jest.
Saturday Night Live has often been a platform for political satire, and this latest episode successfully blended humor with sharp critique. As the show wraps up its landmark 50th season, fans are eagerly anticipating what else is in store. Upcoming episodes promise more big-name hosts and musical acts, ensuring SNL remains a staple of American comedy.
In conclusion, SNL’s take on Donald Trump’s early presidency encapsulated the essence of political satire—using humor to address serious topics while engaging the audience. With its clever writing and sharp performances, the show continues to resonate with viewers, proving that laughter is indeed a powerful tool for social commentary.
* This website participates in the Amazon Affiliate Program and earns from qualifying purchases.