In its May 4, 2025 cold open, Saturday Night Live Donald Trump sketches returned to peak parody — mocking the former president’s imaginary executive orders, where “recession” was humorously renamed “recess.” The episode didn’t stop there. It also poked fun at the widely discussed age-gap romance between NFL legend Bill Belichick and 24-year-old cheerleader Jordon Hudson, rebranding it as a national priority. Through biting satire, Saturday Night Live once again proved it’s not just a comedy show — it’s a mirror to the absurdities of modern headlines.
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SNL Nails the ‘Trump Signs Everything’ Gag Again
In the opening sketch, James Austin Johnson played Donald Trump with exaggerated flair. He was shown confidently signing off on surreal executive orders. Among the gems:
- Declaring that recessions would now be known as “recess.”
- Making it legal for presidents to post AI-generated images of themselves as the Pope.
- Officially celebrating age-gap relationships as “traditional American courtship.”
The Trump caricature even justified these absurd orders by claiming they were supported by “many smart people, the best people, even the ghost of Abraham Lincoln.” The audience responded with roaring laughter, while the satire cut sharply into current political theater.
Saturday Night Live Donald Trump Skits: A Cultural Constant
No stranger to portraying Trump, Saturday Night Live has treated viewers to impersonations since the late ‘80s. From Darrell Hammond to Alec Baldwin and now James Austin Johnson, the skits have evolved as Trump’s public image has. But this week’s sketch feels particularly fresh — blending current headlines, absurdity, and that signature SNL edge.
This time, Johnson’s Trump riffed on AI, pop culture, politics, and even sports scandals — all while making thinly veiled jabs at real-world headlines. It’s the kind of comedy that hits harder because of how close it dances to reality.
Trump Goes AI: The Pope Image That Sparked SNL’s Fire
One of the sketch’s most outrageous moments involved “Trump” justifying his posting of an AI-generated photo of himself as the Pope, mere days after the real Pope’s passing. The character declared, “People said it was disrespectful. I say it was divine.”
This moment brilliantly blended satire with current tech concerns — namely, how public figures are using (and misusing) AI-generated media. The real Trump has had a history of sharing odd or misleading content, and SNL pulled no punches on how bizarre this behavior can become.
Belichick and the Age Gap: SNL’s Romance Reformation
Another subplot within the sketch focused on Bill Belichick, the NFL coaching legend recently in headlines for dating someone 49 years his junior. The SNL writers crafted a fake order titled “Make Girlfriends Young Again,” a hilarious twist on Trump’s old slogan.
The parody was as awkward as it was effective. The faux-Trump gushed about Belichick’s new love, saying, “We’re making history, and also making prom reservations.” While exaggerated, it highlighted the oddness of public reactions to celebrity relationships — especially when there’s a generational divide.
Why Saturday Night Live Donald Trump Content Keeps Winning
Here’s why the formula works and continues to resonate:
| Element | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Current Topics | The Trump sketch was rooted in last week’s headlines |
| Familiar Characters | Viewers already know these figures |
| Absurd but Believable | Fiction mirrors strange truths |
| Versatile Impressions | Johnson’s Trump adds energy to each line |
| Humor with a Bite | It’s funny, but it makes you think |
The combination of reality and parody ensures that the content feels fresh, bold, and culturally relevant.
Saturday Night Live Donald Trump Segments Spark Debate
As always, the segment drew reactions from both sides. Fans praised the clever writing and topical accuracy. Critics, mostly Trump supporters, claimed the sketch crossed the line — especially the jokes around AI images and religious icons.
Still, that tension is exactly what SNL thrives on. It pushes the boundaries, knowing its audience can handle the complexity of laughing and reflecting at the same time.
SNL’s Secret: Stay Topical, Stay Savage
The success of sketches like this one proves that Saturday Night Live Donald Trump content doesn’t just rely on impersonation. It’s about staying sharp with satire, using recent events as comedic fuel.
Whether it’s a rebranded recession, a joke about AI spiritual leaders, or a football coach’s controversial romance, the writing team finds fresh ways to twist public events into punchlines.
What’s Next for SNL’s Political Parody?
With Trump continuing to stay in the spotlight and the 2024 election still casting shadows, we’re almost guaranteed more Saturday Night Live Donald Trump sketches in the near future. And if this past week is any indication, they’ll be sharper, riskier, and more uncomfortably hilarious than ever.
It’s comedy with consequence. It’s humor that doesn’t wait for history — it rewrites it in real time.