If you needed a laugh this week Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update delivered as usual. Colin Jost and Michael Che were on fire tackling the return of Donald Trump and a certain billionaire's salute that raised some eyebrows. No one was safe and the jokes were sharp. Let's dive into the best moments from the segment.
From Lincoln Bibles to Gulf Renaming: Weekend Update Skewers Trump's Inauguration Shenanigans in Epic Style
Colin Jost kicked off Weekend Update zeroing in on Donald Trump's latest inauguration. He started with the oath and the Lincoln Bible noting Trump seemed to have some trouble with it. Jost joked that maybe the Bible itself wasn't too thrilled saying "Well he tried to but the Bible screamed." That's a strong start right there.
The jokes kept coming when Jost mentioned Trump's speech and a pretty bold geographical claim. "During his address President Trump said he was changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America" Jost announced. He then added a comedic visual "And like you Hillary Clinton could be seen in the background laughing while he said it while Kamala could be seen silently begging her edible to kick in." Talk about painting a picture with words!
Michael Che took the baton and ran with it focusing on Trump's pardons for the January 6th rioters. He specifically brought up Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes who was serving a hefty sentence. Che with his trademark dry wit quipped "And ladies just like his eyes he’s single!" referring to Rhodes' eye patch. Then Che connected Trump's defense of the rioters to a particularly dark joke saying Trump claimed they were "just people that love their country; you know like how O.J. loved Nicole." Weekend Update definitely isn't pulling any punches here.
Jost also made sure to address another Trump policy shift this time his executive order targeting diversity equity and inclusion programs. In typical satirical fashion Jost summed it up with a cuttingly funny take hinting at the controversial nature of the order without even needing many words.
"But Come On He's Not a Nazi...": Michael Che's Hilarious Defense of Elon Musk's Controversial Salute
Of course Weekend Update could not ignore the internet's latest obsession: Elon Musk's rather questionable salute at the Trump inauguration event. Michael Che stepped in to offer his commentary and it was gold. Che acknowledged the criticisms and the Nazi salute comparisons head-on. "Elon Musk was criticized for his speech at a rally after the inauguration in which he appears to give the Nazi salute" Che stated.
But then came the twist the comedic defense no one saw coming. "But c’mon Elon Musk is not a Nazi" Che declared before landing the punchline "The Nazis made nice cars." Boom. The audience went wild. It's a joke that works on multiple levels referencing Volkswagen's history while also hilariously downplaying the seriousness of the salute by focusing on something completely unrelated and arguably absurd.
Che's joke perfectly captured the absurdity of the situation and the ongoing online debate about Musk's gesture. It was a reminder that Weekend Update can take even the most sensitive topics and find a way to make them funny and thought-provoking at the same time.
Weekend Update's Best Jokes: A Quick List of the Sharpest Lines from the Segment
Want to relive the funniest moments? Here's a quick list of some of Weekend Update's best jokes from this week:
- Colin Jost on Trump and the Bible: "Well he tried to but the Bible screamed."
- Colin Jost's Gulf of America Joke: Hillary Clinton laughing Kamala Harris waiting for edibles to kick in - pure comedic imagery.
- Michael Che's Stewart Rhodes Line: "And ladies just like his eyes he’s single!" - dark humor at its finest.
- Che on Trump/OJ Simpson Comparison: A brutal and effective comparison that lands with a thud.
- Che's Elon Musk Defense: "Elon Musk is not a Nazi; the Nazis made nice cars." - unexpected and perfectly timed.
Beyond the Headlines: Weekend Update Still Delivering the Political Comedy We Crave
This week's Weekend Update proved once again why it's such a beloved part of Saturday Night Live. Colin Jost and Michael Che manage to tackle serious political issues with humor and wit offering commentary that is both funny and makes you think. They are not afraid to go after big targets and their jokes often walk that fine line between making you laugh and maybe cringe a little bit which is exactly what good satire should do. If you missed it this week definitely go back and watch the segment. It is a prime example of SNL at its best keeping us laughing even when the news cycle feels anything but funny.