On April 6, 2025, NBC's Saturday Night Live (SNL) returned with a bang, hosting Jack Black as the guest host and featuring musical performances from Elton John and Brandi Carlile. The show's cold open took a sharp jab at President Donald Trump's recent announcement of sweeping tariffs, humorously dubbed the "MAGDA" plan, which stands for "Make America Great Depression Again." This segment, featuring James Austin Johnson as Trump, was a satirical take on the president's economic policies that have recently stirred controversy.
The cold open began with Johnson's Trump standing at a podium, mimicking the president's real-life "Liberation Day" announcement made just days prior. During this announcement, Trump proposed a 10% tariff on all imports, with even higher tariffs on goods from around 60 countries that have a significant trade deficit with the United States. Johnson, embodying Trump, quipped, "Thank you all for coming out to hear about tariffs. My favorite word, tariff, which, of course, is short for a-terrific-idea," drawing laughter from the audience.
As part of the sketch, Trump jokingly claimed that the new tariffs would lead to Americans eating their pets, stating, "We’ll be the ones eating the cats and the dogs. That’s going to be fun." This line echoed Trump's past controversial comments regarding Haitian immigrants, further fueling the comedic critique of his policies. The sketch also referenced Trump's assertion that had the U.S. adhered to its earlier tariff policies, the Great Depression might have been avoided, despite historical evidence suggesting otherwise.
The segment took a playful yet critical approach by showcasing Trump's economic plan as a series of nonsensical numbers, with Johnson saying, "You have no idea what the hell they mean, but I know what the numbers mean ... They mean we're gonna make America wealthy again." This portrayal highlighted the absurdity of Trump's economic rationale as perceived by many critics.
In a twist, the sketch introduced Mike Myers as Elon Musk, who donned a cheesehead hat, referencing Musk's involvement in a recent Supreme Court election in Wisconsin. Myers' Musk unveiled the "Tesla Model V," a fictional self-vandalizing car, humorously stating, "We’re introducing the new Tesla Model V, the first electric car in history to be fully self-vandalizing, with features like self-smashing headlights, self-slashing tires, and AI-powered graffiti." The absurdity continued as he offered options for graffiti designs, including swastikas and penises, or even swastikas made out of penises, prompting Johnson's Trump to exclaim, "Wow. Swastikas made of penises — we are truly the party of Lincoln."
As the cold open progressed, Johnson's Trump addressed the audience with a mix of bravado and confusion, claiming, "Your money's gone, but that’s okay, we’ll figure it out." This line resonated with viewers familiar with the economic turmoil following the announcement of the tariffs, which had already begun to impact markets significantly.
In the backdrop of the comedic chaos, SNL didn’t shy away from addressing the recent drama surrounding country singer Morgan Wallen, who walked off the SNL stage after a performance the previous week. Johnson's Trump took a direct swipe at Wallen's Instagram post, where he expressed a desire to return to "God's country," mocking his abrupt exit with a quip about getting to Nashville.
This episode marked a significant moment for SNL, as it not only provided a platform for political satire but also showcased the show's ability to reflect current events through humor. The combination of Black's hosting, the musical talents of John and Carlile, and the biting political commentary made for a memorable night at Studio 8H.
As SNL continues its 50th season, the cold open served as a reminder of the show's long-standing tradition of using comedy to address serious political issues. The sketch not only entertained but also invited viewers to reflect on the implications of Trump's tariff policies and their potential impact on the economy.
With the 2024 presidential election looming, SNL's ability to blend humor with political commentary remains as relevant as ever. The show's capacity to engage audiences with timely issues while providing a comedic escape underscores its importance in the landscape of American television.
As the episode concluded, viewers were left with a mix of laughter and contemplation, pondering the real-world consequences of the policies being satirized. SNL has once again proven its role as a critical voice in the political discourse, using humor to challenge and provoke thought among its audience.
