As the fallout from Donald Trump’s clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to stun the world, “Saturday Night Live” gave its own spin on the global disaster. “SNL” opened this weekend’s show — its first since the “SNL50” special — by featuring Trump (played as usual by James Austin Johnson) and vice president JD Vance (Bowen Yang) chastising Zelenskyy (Mikey Day).
But then came unelected DOGE master Elon Musk, as played by “SNL” alum Mike Myers. This repped Myers’ first appearance on a regular “SNL” episode since December 2015, although he appeared on the recent “SNL50” special in a reprise of his “Coffee Talk” Linda Richman character. He also popped in for the goodbyes at the end of the show to make a statement with his t-shirt.
The sketch opened with a tongue-in-cheek voice over: “Yesterday, President Trump hosted Ukrainian president Zelenskyy at the White House, and it went really, really well. Everyone who watched felt at ease and thought the world is now a safer place. Here now is a replay of their historic press conference.”
As “Trump” opened: “It is I, president and CEO of Gaza Hotel and Casino, Donald Trump, and I’d like to welcome President Zelenskyy here to this incredible trap. It’s going to be a big, beautiful trap, and we’re going to attack him very soon for no reason, right?
“And Marco Rubio is here too. Little Marco. Little Marco, you excited to attack our European ally knowing less before we get started, I’d like to thank President Zelenskyy for dressing like casual ‘Star Trek.’ We love ‘Star Trek’ because there’s no DEI. The white guy was the leader, and he bossed around Spock, who I believe was Guatemalan. We love that, President Zelenskyy, you want to say a few words? Maybe tell Mr. Putin how much you love him and that you’re sorry you invaded Russia. Maybe offer him one night with your wife.”
But just as “Zelenskyy” tried to answer, “Vance” butt in: “I could jump in here, because that’s how we planned this. What happened to ‘thank you’? Remember ‘thank you’? You haven’t said ‘thank you’ to us once the past 15 seconds I’ve been yelling at you! You didn’t say it now, but you didn’t say it now. When you walked in here, you didn’t say thank you. You didn’t say anything about us being handsome. ‘Where my handsome little boys?’ You didn’t ask us that once!”
Said “Trump”: “He’s right, and we’re very handsome. Okay, our ties are matching, and they’re growing. Frankly, by the minute, we don’t even have to dust in here anymore. The ties sweep away the dust, and yet you don’t compliment the ties. You don’t say thank you. You don’t tell us how hot we look. You don’t say ‘if I was gay, I’d be all over you too.’ And we’re supposed to help you… frankly, you don’t have the cards. I have the cards. I have Skip, I have Draw Four, I have Reverse, I have Get Out of Jail Free. The Supreme Court gave me that one. I have Pikachu and Charmander and Charizard. All I’m missing is a Charmelian. But without us, you don’t have any of the cards. You’re playing poker, and Putin’s playing Magic The Gathering. The Russians have been treated very badly with respect to the war, and also, frankly, ‘Anora,’ right? ‘Anora’ was misled and she fell in love, and now she might even lose to ‘Brutalist.’ It’s disgusting.”
Then jumped in “Vance”: “I have been to Ukraine on Google Maps. That’s a mess. You think you’re getting any money from us after your little outburst today, to quote my personal hero, Willy Wonka, ‘you broke the rules. You get nothing. You lose. Good day, sir!’”
Added “Trump”: “You’re also you’re not even wearing a suit. It’s disrespectful. Who shows up to the White House in a T-shirt and jeans like a garbage person?”
Enter Myers as Elon Musk — of course, wearing a T-shirt and jeans.
“We love your outfit. Very official and respectful,” said the hypocritical Trump.
Said Musk: “Thanks, Donald, what are you doing in my office? You know, I’m the president now, right? I’m kidding. I’m kidding. Maybe not?”
Trump then pointed out what DOGE is up to: “They’re doing mass firings in the government. We love mass firings because you don’t have to know what any of their names are or what exactly they do.”
Said Musk: “I mean, we’re not going to get it perfect, you know, we are firing the non essential employees, like air traffic controllers.”
Trump: “Sure, some of the planes are going to land upside down, but then the luggage falls right into your lap and you’re ready to go. It’s efficient. And Elon’s got this incredible team of professionals, like a 19-year-old who’s known as ‘Big Balls.’ Big Balls, you’ve been doing some awesome DOGE stuff, right?”
Said “Big Balls”: “This week I fired a black general and a woman admiral. It was awesome! And in addition to DOGE, we’ve started another initiative called the Department of Undoing Child Health care and Education, or DOUCHE.”
“DOUCHE is going to be epic,” Musk said. “DOUCHE is going to really clean everything out well.”
The sketch ended with “Trump” referencing yet another big headline of the week: The underwhelming “Epstein Files” release. “And to cap off an amazing week, we’re going to finally release the Epstein Files,” Trump said. “Yes, America is going to see all the names, from A to S. No T.”
Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy met Friday at the White House, and the exchange reportedly fell apart and became a screaming match as Trump and Vance parroted Russian talking points and demanded that Ukraine cut a deal. They also chastized Zelensky for not being grateful enough to the U.S.’ help.
It’s comedian Shane Gillis‘ second time hosting “SNL,” while it’s also musical guest Tate McRae’s second appearance on the show. Gillis previously hosted almost exactly a year ago — on Feb. 24, 2024. On that episode, he didn’t shy away from referencing his awkward history with “SNL”: Gillis was originally set to join the cast in 2019 until racist, homophobic and misogynistic remarks he made on a podcast resurfaced.
“I’m here,” he said in his monologue last year. “Most of you probably have no idea who I am. I was actually — I was fired from this show a while ago. But, you know, don’t look that up, please. If you don’t know who I am, please don’t Google that. It’s fine. Don’t even worry about it.”
Gillis has co-hosted the popular podcast “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast” and has become a frequent fixture on Netflix, where his comedy special “Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs” and comedy series “Tires” now live. “Tires” is set to return this year for Season 2.
This reps the first new episode of “Saturday Night Live” since the show’s ‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’ aired on Feb. 16. That event attracted a live+same day average of 14.8 million viewers — a whopping 202% above the “SNL” Season 50 everage of 4.9 million. And in the days and weeks since its initial live broadcast, that “SNL50” audience has likely increased even more.
In the promo for this week’s “SNL,” Gillis and featured player Ashley Padilla wander around the show’s offices, as the cast is jokingly still suffering hangovers from the “SNL50” blowout.
Next week, Lady Gaga will serve as host and musical guest for the second time. Gaga has previously hosted “SNL” once and performed as the musical guest four times.
