President Donald Trump and his administration found themselves in an amusingly awkward situation during the latest episode of “Saturday Night Live.” The sketch comedy show took a hilarious spin on the recent season of the hit HBO Max series “White Lotus,” replacing the original characters with Trump, his family members, and key administration officials as they grapple with the economic challenges spurred by Trump’s tariffs.
In this clever parody, Trump steps into the shoes of Timothy Ratliff, the family patriarch who becomes entangled in a criminal investigation while vacationing in Thailand. The sketch kicks off with cast member James Austin Johnson portraying Trump, lost in thought as he sits on a bed. He is soon interrupted by his wife, Melania Trump, played with flair by cast member Chloe Fineman, who, with an exaggerated Victoria Ratliff accent, tries to snap him out of his reverie.
“Hello, Earth to Donald. It’s your wife Melania, are you okay?” Fineman’s Melania Trump quips. Johnson’s Trump finally regains focus and nonchalantly pops a McDonald’s-branded pill.
As the sketch unfolds, the Trump family, including Melania, Don Jr. (Mikey Day), and Eric (former cast member Alex Moffat), gather around a breakfast table. Melania muses, “We are so lucky that America will always be a rich and powerful nation,” while Johnson’s Trump stares ominously. The tension rises as he reads a headline on his phone proclaiming “Trump Triggers Worldwide Recession.”
The episode’s host, Jon Hamm, makes a cameo appearance as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a character Fineman’s Melania Trump dismisses as “just weird.” Hamm’s RFK Jr. shares bizarre musings about injecting active measles virus and removing fluoride from drinking water, adding a quirky touch to the comedic narrative.
The sketch also features musical guest Lizzo as Belinda Lindsey and Scarlett Johansson as Ivanka Trump, who emerges from a Buddhist temple scene. The ensemble is rounded out by former cast member Beck Bennett reprising his role as Russian President Vladimir Putin, offering comical comfort to Johnson’s Trump after a nightmare involving imposing a massive tariff on China.
Throughout the parody, the “SNL” cast delivers uproarious performances that lampoon the Trump administration’s policies and personalities with finesse and humor. The blend of political satire and pop culture references ensures an entertaining viewing experience for audiences, highlighting the show’s knack for timely and incisive comedy.
For more laughs and memorable moments from this week’s “SNL,” be sure to catch the full episode for a dose of laughter and levity.
