On March 9, 2025, Mike Myers returned to the iconic stage of Saturday Night Live (SNL) to reprise his role as Elon Musk during the show's cold open, which humorously addressed the turmoil stemming from the reported clash between Musk and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This episode also featured pop superstar Lady Gaga as the host and musical guest, promoting her recently released album, MAYHEM.
The cold open began with James Austin Johnson, portraying former President Donald Trump, mediates between Myers' Musk and Marcello Hernández’s Rubio. Immediately, the tension is palpable as the sketch draws on the recent chaotic cabinet meeting described by various sources, including The New York Times. According to the report, Musk reportedly confronted Rubio for not making significant cuts to the Department of State, leading to Rubio expressing his frustration: "I can’t have you fighting with Elon," Trump tells Rubio, emphasizing his desire for harmony within his cabinet.
"Planes are crashing, and he keeps trying to fire air traffic controllers," Rubio quips, shedding light on his concerns about Musk’s influence over government operations. This humorous commentary on serious issues continued to highlight the absurdity of the situation, reflecting the real-world narrative of Musk, who also claimed during the skit, “My Tesla stock is crashing, and my personal net worth just dropped by $100 billion.”
The comical references didn’t stop there. Johnson’s Trump, ever the entertainer, poked fun at the absurdity of his cabinet dynamics by telling Rubio he needs to be his “good little Marco,” reiteratively using the nickname he’d previously assigned to Rubio. This set the stage for Myers' Musk to channel the infamous Dr. Evil character, known for his comedic flair and exaggerated mannerisms, as he mused about his predicament and the responses he received during the cabinet meeting, stating, “A lot of people seem to really hate me.”
The dual role this skit played not only provided entertainment but also served as political commentary, weaving humor and real events seamlessly. The show utilized humor to address substantial political tensions, with Myers incorporating hand gestures reminiscent of Dr. Evil as he addressed his dire financial situation. This defined moment of levity exemplified how SNL has continued to tackle modern issues with wit and satire, drawing upon both current events and familiar cultural references.
Rubio’s sarcastic remarks painted Musk as someone who was undesirable within governmental circles. He humorously questioned Musk’s qualification to hold such power by saying, “I can’t believe this is the guy you’ve been giving access to the entire government; he’s not even elected!” This undercurrent of skepticism was key to the sketch's comedic impact, showcasing the absurdity of Musk's rising prominence within political circles as depicted through the lens of humor.
Adding to the chaos was the comedic exchange involving Trump reflecting on absurdities, stating, “You know they’re spending $8 million on making mice transgender,” which had become fodder for public discussion, livening up the room. Within this humorous backdrop, the ability of SNL to navigate serious discourse with lightheartedness was on full display.
Meanwhile, as the cold open progressed, Myers’ character seemed to relish the absurdity of the skit, declaring, “Phase One of my plan is complete. I ingratiate myself to the president and rise to media prominence,” capturing the essence of Musk's rise and Musk's persistent public persona.
Lady Gaga’s presence added another layer of intrigue to the episode. Known for her dynamic performances and previous affiliations with SNL, she balanced this political sketch with her musical segment, enriching the cultural narrative of the night. Her dual role as host and musical guest emphasized the festivities of the evening and connected back to the modern entertainment industry's capacity for weaving music and drama.
Despite the humor, the SNL cold open provided poignant reflections of the state of politics today, showcasing how celebrity culture, tech moguls, and political discourse intertwine seamlessly, often resulting in comic absurdities. This blend of political satire with pop culture commentary brought forward by SNL keeps audiences engaged and entertained as they reflect on significant contemporary issues.
With reference to both their humorous portrayals and the underlying political truth, this SNL sketch echoed the larger conversations happening across the nation. Thanks to its combination of familiar characters and satirical dialogue, SNL maintained its reputation as not just another comedy show, but as a platform for social commentary, leading audiences to reexamine the juxtaposition between humor and real-world political strategy. The raucous laughter encouraged by Myers and the cast ensured it was both another memorable entry in the SNL legacy and a reminder of the unending satire present within the political world.
This episode is part of SNL's 50th season, showcasing the show’s commitment to satirical excellence. The joy of seeing such well-known characters as Dr. Evil returning with new twists ensures audiences remain eagerly anticipating what hilarities are yet to come, not just for next week’s episode, but for the exciting future of political satire itself.