Last weekend, Saturday Night Live (SNL) once again took aim at the week’s political events during its cold open, this time spoofing a chaotic cabinet meeting under the Trump administration. The sketch centered around a heated exchange between Marco Rubio and Elon Musk, played by cast members Marcello Hernandez and Mike Myers respectively, with Donald Trump, portrayed by James Austin Johnson, attempting to mediate the situation.
The scene opened with Trump, in his signature confident yet eccentric style, trying to establish order. He began by informing Rubio that his name is now "Mark Ruby," a playful jab at Rubio’s name and Trump’s penchant for nicknaming. The conversation quickly turned tense as Rubio expressed his frustration with Musk’s influence in the government. Rubio pointed out the absurdity of Musk’s involvement in air traffic control decisions, especially given the recent spate of plane crashes. Trump, ever the loyalist, defended Musk, highlighting his accomplishments with SpaceX, particularly the impressive but explosive nature of their rocket launches.
The sketch then took a comedic turn when Trump shared a laughable anecdote about the State of the Union address. He revealed that Musk had suggested he bring up the topic of transgender mice, a claim that, while likely fabricated, got a big laugh. This moment cleverly underscored Trump’s tendency to use humor, however baseless, to connect with his audience. Later, Trump also professed his admiration for Thailand, inspired by the TV show White Lotus, adding another layer of satire to the already absurd scenario.
Musk, played by Mike Myers, entered the sketch towards the end with a quirky dance move, prompting Rubio to question his role and influence in the administration. Rubio didn’t hold back, taking jabs at Musk’s personal life, including his numerous children and peculiar naming choices for them. Musk, parodying his public persona, lamented his falling Tesla stock prices and his diminished net worth, channeling a comedic version of the infamous Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers series.
In the end, Trump tried to restore order by issuing directives to both Rubio and Musk, emphasizing that while he paid Musk generously, he was still in charge. The scene successfully encapsulated the satirical tone SNL is known for, blending real-world political issues with exaggerated characterizations to highlight the absurdity of the situation.
The episode also highlighted Lady Gaga’s return to SNL, not only as a host but also as the musical guest, promoting her latest album Mayhem. Her presence added a pop culture twist to the politically charged cold open, reminding viewers of the show’s ability to blend current events with entertainment seamlessly.
Overall, the cold open effectively used humor and satire to critique the intertwining of politics and celebrity culture, leaving viewers both entertained and reflective on the state of modern governance and media.
