SNL Roasts Trump—Again—This Time with Jesus, Tariffs, and Tesla Chaos

SNL Roasts Trump—Again—This Time with Jesus, Tariffs, and Tesla Chaos

You know SNL’s back in peak form when Trump walks in with Jesus and a tax plan that sounds like a coupon book for economic collapse.

Saturday Night Live has never exactly been shy about poking fun at political figures, but their April 2025 cold opens have taken things to a whole new level of absurd, satirical theater. If you haven’t caught them yet—honestly, what are you doing with your weekends?—these sketches are worth a rewatch, especially if you enjoy your news with a side of irony and a dash of sacrilege.

When Trump Meets Easter (and the Nasdaq)

In the April 12 cold open, James Austin Johnson—who, at this point, might as well be Trump’s official stunt double—walked onto the set channeling a version of the former president that was somehow even more chaotic than the real thing.

He delivered an Easter message. Well… sort of.

With the American flag behind him and faux-press nodding along, Trump compared the stock market’s “resurrection” to that of Jesus Christ. “It died,” he said, “then on the third day, it was risen—just like the Nasdaq.”

Cringe? Maybe. But wildly funny? Absolutely. And weirdly, it didn’t feel that far off from something Trump might actually say. That’s part of the brilliance here—Johnson doesn’t just imitate Trump’s voice, he mimics the non-sequitur logic and off-script bravado that made the former president both unpredictable and ripe for parody.

Mikey Day made an appearance as Jesus, standing silently like a third-wheel at a press conference, which just made things funnier. Johnson’s Trump even riffed on lifting tariffs for Easter, saying, “Jesus was a carpenter. He loved wood. That’s why we’re lifting tariffs on lumber—out of respect.”

The Week Before: Great Depression Vibes and a Self-Destructing Tesla

Now, rewind to the previous Saturday—April 6. The cold open? Even more unhinged (in a good way).

This time, Trump was unveiling sweeping tariffs on everything from foreign cheese to, oddly, imported Bible covers. The parody slogan? “Make America Great Depression Again.” Subtle? Not at all. Effective? You bet.

And then—out of nowhere—Mike Myers (yes, that Mike Myers) walked on stage as a goofy version of Elon Musk. His mission? Unveil Tesla’s latest invention: the “Model V,” a self-vandalizing electric car meant to protest Trump’s tariffs. Picture this: a car that keys its own doors, breaks its own windshield, and still charges $79,000. Peak satire.

There’s a kind of chaotic poetry in how SNL has blended pop culture, policy, and parody lately. It’s not just mocking Trump anymore—it’s weaving in tech moguls, supply chain quirks, and holiday metaphors like it’s all one big fever dream.

James Austin Johnson Is Quietly Carrying the Show

Let’s pause for a second and give credit where it’s due. James Austin Johnson isn’t just doing impressions—he’s crafting full-blown performances. Ever since he joined the cast in 2021, he’s become the anchor of SNL’s political sketches. His Trump is weirdly soothing in its predictability, yet always surprising in its delivery. And when he slips into Joe Biden, it’s like watching a slow-motion eye roll.

He’s also got that rare talent of saying the most outlandish things with a straight face. Which, honestly, is about 60% of doing political comedy well.

So, What’s SNL Actually Saying Here?

Sure, these sketches are jokes—but there’s something else brewing under the surface. Whether it’s poking fun at economic policies or satirizing our national obsession with billionaire CEOs, SNL’s cold opens have been tapping into real anxieties.

Inflation? Tariffs? Trade wars? Even if you’re not following economic news, you probably feel it when you buy groceries or book a flight. And SNL, in its own way, is holding up a funhouse mirror to all of it—exaggerated, ridiculous, but recognizable.

Final Thoughts Before the Next Cold Open

In a time when politics feels more surreal than fiction, satire might be the only thing keeping some of us sane. SNL knows this. It’s always known this. That’s why it keeps coming back to Trump—not just because he’s a goldmine for material, but because his real-world antics beg for comedic interpretation.

And with James Austin Johnson steering the ship, we’re all just along for the ride—laughing, cringing, and wondering if satire might just be the most honest kind of news we’ve got.

Catch the full sketches on SNL’s official YouTube if you missed them. Or better yet, stay up late next Saturday. Something tells me we haven’t seen the last of Trump… or the Model V.