In a recent cold open, Saturday Night Live offered a satirical twist on the signing of the Declaration of Independence, casting Donald Trump as the unexpected centerpiece.
The sketch began with John Hancock signing the historic document, joined by Lin-Manuel Miranda, reprising his celebrated role as Alexander Hamilton. Just as Hamilton prepared to deliver one of his trademark raps, Donald Trump—portrayed by James Austin Johnson—suddenly appeared, causing the other actors to freeze in place.
“Never say never. Kidding, of course. Though, in many ways, I’m not,” quipped Johnson’s Trump. “Just like the Founding Fathers, I’m creating a new country too—and we’re doing it very wisely. DEI is over. It’s dead.”
A Satirical Take on Trump’s Administration
The sketch humorously captured Trump’s imagined presidency, referencing his flurry of executive orders and interactions with tech billionaires during his first days in office. Johnson’s Trump poked fun at the inauguration, saying, “The inauguration was a tremendous success. It was inside due to cold and fear. We had a lot of surprise guests, like Melania. That was nice.”
The skit further exaggerated Trump’s well-known connections with major technology leaders, dubbing them his “nerd herd.” This included Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk.
The controversy surrounding Elon Musk also found its way into the parody. After Musk recently made headlines for appearing to perform a Nazi salute at an inauguration celebration, the skit’s Trump dismissed the criticism with a comedic explanation: “He wasn’t doing a Nazi salute. He was creating a new greeting—a mix between Hi and Hello. We’re calling it a Heil.”
Mocking Policy Reversals and Historical Attire
The parody also highlighted Trump’s fictional rollbacks of policies introduced during Joe Biden’s administration, particularly those aimed at promoting equity for the LGBTQ+ community. “No more drag, no more guys in wigs, no more whatever these guys are wearing,” Trump joked, pointing to the Founding Fathers’ elaborate outfits. “What a weird way to dress, right? A little zesty.”
In a nod to Trump’s fictional Cabinet appointments, the sketch referenced the Senate’s confirmation of former Fox & Friends host Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. Trump humorously mused about which actor might portray Hegseth on television.
A Comedic Reflection on Campaign Promises
The sketch ended with Trump reflecting on his administration’s accomplishments, while acknowledging one humorous shortfall. “In conclusion, it’s been a great week. I’ve basically hit all my campaign promises, except for the one people cared about: the price of eggs. All-time high,” Johnson’s Trump remarked. “Who would have thought it’d be easier to get a ceasefire in Gaza than to bring down the price of eggs? Might have to take the L on that one.”
A Thoughtful Blend of Humor and Current Events
Saturday Night Live successfully blended historical satire with political commentary in this clever parody of Donald Trump. The skit not only offered laughs but also delivered sharp observations on current events and cultural trends, solidifying its place as one of the show’s standout moments.
