Spotlight on Trump Coverage
Since its debut in 1975, Weekend Update has been Saturday Night Live’s flagship satirical newscast but few seasons have honed in as relentlessly on a single target as this year’s barbs aimed at President Donald Trump. Anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che have turned every absurd twist of Trump’s second term into comedy gold, from his AI-driven papal daydreams to his high‑stakes tariff theatrics. Their razor‑sharp exchanges blend straight‑man setups with gleeful punchlines, ensuring that viewers get both a laugh and a lens on the real‑world implications of each story.
The Format and the Hosts
Weekend Update follows a mock‑news desk format, with Jost delivering deadpan headlines and Che providing biting asides. Together since 2014, they’ve become the longest‑tenured duo in the sketch’s history. Their chemistry, Jost’s measured setups counterpointed by Che’s devil‑may‑care riffs has kept the segment fresh, even as the pace of real‑world news accelerates.
AI‑Generated Pope Portrait
In early May, Trump shared an AI‑rendered image of himself dressed as the pope. Jost began Update by asking incredulously, “Who posts a photo of themselves dressed like a guy who died a week ago?” and Che quipped that it was the first selfie “too holy even for your followers.” The bit underscored the surreal gap between online fantasy and political reality.
The $400 Million “Pre‑Bribe” Jet
When reports emerged that Qatar’s royal family offered a $400 million luxury jet—ostensibly for the U.S. Air Force but widely mocked as a personal gift. Che deadpanned that the plane was “not a bribe…yet,” lampooning both the legality and ethics of foreign gifts to a sitting president. An ensuing sketch had Jost’s “Congressional hearing” grilling Trump on constitutional conflicts.
Tariff Tirades
Trump’s return to sky‑high tariffs provided rich fodder. In one Update, Jost quipped that children cutting back on Christmas wish lists from 30 dolls “might be the only workforce shortage we’ll actually solve,” while Che marveled that Trump could “declare a trade war and still tweet victory.” Their riffs highlighted both economic stakes and political theater.
Middle East “Bromance”
Covering Trump’s Middle East trip, Weekend Update paired James Austin Johnson’s Trump with an Emil Wakim–played Crown Prince in a faux bromance sketch. Their exchange—pivoting from pipeline deals to palace perks—exposed the intersection of diplomacy and spectacle.
Everyday Mishaps
No detail is too small. After Newark radar glitches grounded presidential travel, Jost deadpanned that Trump “just wants Air Force One to look good crashing,” turning logistical snafu into punchline while nodding to security concerns.
Why It Matters
By translating policy proposals and presidential foibles into succinct jokes, Weekend Update not only entertains but informs. Their satire fosters critical engagement, reminding audiences that humor can illuminate truths masked by spin. As Trump’s presidency continues to surprise and perplex, Jost and Che stand ready to distill the chaos into cogent—or hilariously absurd—capsules of commentary.
Sources
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’SNL’ roasts Trump for posting an AI image of himself as the pope, Business Insider
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Weekend Update: Trump’s Pope Dream & Stock …, Yahoo Entertainment
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SNL mocks Qatar’s Air Force One offer and Trump’s Middle East trip, Business Insider
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‘SNL’ mocks Qatar’s Air Force One offer and Trump’s Middle East trip, Fox News
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Watch Weekend Update with Colin Jost & Michael Che: May 17, 2025, NBC
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SNL Weekend Update Trashes Trump’s Tariffs, Yahoo Entertainment
