Yo comedy lovers! You know Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update is the place to go for sharp takes on the week's news and pop culture. This week Colin Jost and Michael Che were on fire hitting everything from Donald Trump's latest inauguration to Elon Musk's head-scratching salute. Get ready for some serious laughs because these guys did not hold back.
Trump's Inauguration Gets the Weekend Update Treatment: Bible Jokes Gulf of America and More!
Colin Jost kicked off Weekend Update by diving straight into Donald Trump's inauguration. He joked about Trump's oath and how he seemed to have a little trouble with the Lincoln Bible. Jost quipped maybe the Bible itself wasn't too thrilled about being touched. It was just the start of the Trump roast.
The jokes kept coming fast and furious. Jost mentioned Trump's speech and his grand idea to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." He imagined Hillary Clinton chuckling in the background at that one while Kamala Harris was just patiently waiting for her chill pill to kick in. You know the usual political humor from SNL.
Michael Che then took aim at Trump's pardons for a bunch of January 6th rioters including Stewart Rhodes the Oath Keepers founder. Che didn't miss a beat joking about Rhodes' single status and eye patch. He also connected Trump's defense of the rioters as "people who love their country" to a pretty dark O.J. Simpson joke that landed with a definite sting. Weekend Update pulling no punches as usual.
And of course Jost had to mention Trump's executive order about ending diversity equity and inclusion programs. He joked about the order starting with a rather impolite phrase that definitely got the point across about the controversial nature of the policy. Basically no part of Trump's week was safe from the Weekend Update spotlight.
Elon Musk's Salute Under Fire: SNL Asks "Is Elon Musk a Nazi?" Answer: "The Nazis Made Nice Cars"
The internet was buzzing about Elon Musk's salute at Trump's inauguration. Was it a weird wave? Was it something else? Weekend Update had thoughts. Michael Che addressed the controversy head-on asking the question everyone was thinking: "Elon Musk was criticized for his speech at a rally after the inauguration in which he appears to give the Nazi salute. But c’mon Elon Musk is not a Nazi".
But Che didn't stop there. He delivered a killer punchline: "...the Nazis made nice cars." BOOM. The joke referencing Volkswagen's origins connected to Nazi Germany was classic Weekend Update: unexpected edgy and darkly funny. It’s a five-word joke that sums up the absurdity of the whole situation.
SNL wasn't the only one noticing Musk's salute. Even Chloe Fineman another SNL cast member seemed to weigh in online referencing the "Nazi salute" and her past negative experience with Musk when he hosted the show. It looks like Musk's gesture definitely became a major topic of conversation and Weekend Update made sure to get their comedic jab in.
Weekend Update's Best Jokes This Week: A Quick Hilarious Listing
Want to relive the laugh-out-loud moments? Here’s a quick listing of some of the top jokes from this week's Weekend Update:
- Colin Jost on Trump and the Lincoln Bible: "Well he tried to but the Bible screamed."
- Colin Jost on Trump's Gulf of America idea: Implying Hillary Clinton laughed and Kamala Harris waited for edibles.
- Michael Che on Stewart Rhodes' dating life: "And ladies just like his eyes he’s single!"
- Michael Che comparing Trump's pardons to OJ Simpson: Connecting "love of country" to O.J.'s "love of Nicole".
- Michael Che on Elon Musk's salute: "Elon Musk is not a Nazi; the Nazis made nice cars."
Beyond Politics: Pop Culture Jokes and More from Weekend Update
It wasn't all just politics though. Weekend Update also touched on some lighter topics. Colin Jost joked about a Wheel of Fortune contestant tackling Ryan Seacrest and then dared viewers to try the same thing on his Pop Culture Jeopardy! show (while brandishing a toy gun for extra comedic effect). Ego Nwodim showed up as a character named Giselle a "concerned businesswoman" with a funny warning for Black women about stocking up on wigs due to potential trade wars under Trump. And Andrew Dismukes did a bit with a puppet dad because why not? Weekend Update keeps bringing the laughs across the board making sure no topic is too serious for a joke or two.