This week’s “Saturday Night Live” Cold Open spoofed the meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and featured a special appearance from a chainsaw-wielding Elon Musk.
In its first episode since its 50th anniversary, the late-night show opened with Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, and Zelensky, played by Mikey Day. Last week, the real leaders met to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. However, the meeting turned heated in one of the most remarkable Oval Office scenes in years.
“I’d like to welcome President Zelensky to this incredible trap,” Johnson’s Trump said at the top of the sketch. “I’d like to thank President Zelensky 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 was, I believe, Guatemalan.”
Zelensky, who visited the White House last week to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, appeared at the White House wearing his usual military-style black sweatshirt with a Ukrainian trident. The Ukrainian leader wore the sweatshirt in past meetings with global leaders and has said the choice is a show of solidarity with Ukrainian soldiers.
Next to Trump was Vice President JD Vance, played by Bowen Yang, who chimed in after Trump’s comments.
“I have to jump in here because that’s how we planned this,” Vance said. “You didn’t say thank you. You didn’t say anything about us being handsome.”
Once Zelensky attempted to reply, Vance interjected: “You have been talking this entire time. I’m sorry, does the sign outside say Ukraine House? No, it says America House.”
Next to Vance was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, played by Marcello Hernández, who Trump said was “disassociating.” Trump then asked him if he was “excited to attack our European ally.”
“No Inglés,” Rubio said.
Trump then stated that Zelensky “doesn’t have the cards” to end the war, referring to the card game “Uno.”
“You say you wanna end this war, but frankly you don’t have the cards,” Johnson’s Trump said. “I have the cards. I have Skip. I have Draw Four. I have Get Out of Jail Free; the Supreme Court gave me that one.”
Elon Musk, played by Mike Myers, suddenly bursts into the room with a chainsaw, a reference to his appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) when Argentine President Javier Milei gave him a chainsaw that the DOGE leader held up as the crowd cheered.
“Uh Donald, what are you doing in my office?” he said. You know I’m the president now. I’m kidding! I’m kidding. Maybe not!”
Musk then began to jump and yell, “Legalize comedy! Legalize comedy!”
Myer’s Musk also referenced the controversial mass layoffs headed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which the tech billionaire created.
“We are firing the nonessential employees,” he said. “Like air traffic controllers.”
“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” Trump said. “It’s efficient.”
