Saturday Night Live just aired and you know what that means: Weekend Update time! This week Colin Jost and Michael Che didn't hold back tackling some major headlines. Donald Trump's latest inauguration and Elon Musk's salute were squarely in their sights. So did they deliver the laughs or did the jokes fall flat? Let's dive into the highlights and see what folks are saying.
Trump's Inauguration Gets the Weekend Update Treatment: Bible Jokes and Gulf of America?
Colin Jost kicked things off hitting on Donald Trump's inauguration. He made a crack about Trump struggling with the Lincoln Bible during the oath. Jost joked the Bible "screamed" at Trump. Then he went in on Trump supposedly renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." Jost imagined Hillary Clinton laughing in the background and Kamala Harris just waiting for her edible to kick in. Pretty classic political humor right there.
Michael Che tackled Trump's pardons for January 6th rioters including Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes. Che joked about Rhodes being single quipping "and ladies just like his eyes he’s single!" He then compared Trump's reasoning for the pardons—that they are "people who love their country"—to O.J. Simpson's love for Nicole. Weekend Update definitely went there.
Jost also made a quick joke about Trump ending diversity equity and inclusion programs saying the order began with a less-than-polite phrase. They weren't pulling any punches this week.
Elon Musk's Salute Draws Fire from Weekend Update: "The Nazis Made Nice Cars" Line Steals the Show
Elon Musk's controversial salute was another big target for Weekend Update. Michael Che addressed the criticism Musk received for what looked like a Nazi salute at the inauguration. But Che offered a surprising defense of Musk. "Elon Musk is not a Nazi" Che declared before dropping the punchline "the Nazis made nice cars."
This line got a lot of attention online. It plays on the historical fact that Volkswagen has roots linked to Nazi Germany. It's a dark joke but classic Weekend Update territory. Che and Jost often go for those unexpected and slightly edgy punchlines and this one definitely landed with some viewers.
The joke even got a reaction from SNL cast member Chloe Fineman who seemed to double down on her past criticisms of Musk referencing the "Nazi salute" incident. It's clear the salute and Weekend Update's take on it sparked a lot of conversation beyond just the show itself.
Weekend Update's Best Jokes: A Quick List of the Sharpest Lines
Want a quick rundown of the zingers? Here are some of the top jokes from this week's Weekend Update:
- Colin Jost on Trump and the Bible: "Well he tried to but the Bible screamed."
- Colin Jost on Gulf of America: Imagining Hillary laughing and Kamala waiting for edibles.
- Michael Che on Stewart Rhodes being single: "And ladies just like his eyes he’s single!"
- Michael Che comparing Trump's pardons to OJ: O.J. loved Nicole example.
- Michael Che on Elon Musk's Nazi salute: "Elon Musk is not a Nazi; the Nazis made nice cars."
Beyond Trump and Musk: Giselle the Businesswoman and Dismukes' Puppet Dad Add to the Fun
Weekend Update wasn't just about politics this week. Ego Nwodim returned as Giselle a "concerned businesswoman" who voted for Trump. Giselle hilariously warned Black women to buy wigs and hair extensions fearing trade wars under Trump. Andrew Dismukes also had a funny bit with his "puppet dad" which added another layer of comedy to the segment. Weekend Update continues to blend political satire with broader social commentary and just plain silly humor.