It was a typical Saturday Night Live moment until it wasn’t. During this week’s Weekend Update, Colin Jost shocked viewers with a controversial joke about Donald Trump’s Halloween video, turning light political satire into one of the edgiest moments of the season. The segment featured a clip of President Trump and First Lady Melania walking out of the White House to a cover of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Jost then quipped that it was “the perfect soundtrack to lure kids to a famous mansion,” drawing both laughter and audible groans from the audience.
The setup: Trump’s Halloween video meets dark humour
The viral moment began when SNL played a short clip from Trump’s recent Halloween event, where the former president used Thriller as background music while greeting guests outside the White House. What was intended as a playful, seasonal appearance became the setup for Jost’s risqué punchline, which referenced the late pop star’s long-standing child abuse allegations and Trump’s own controversial links to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
The comment hit a nerve, quickly spreading across social media as viewers debated whether the joke was clever political commentary or an unnecessary low blow.
Audience reaction: laughter, shock, and discomfort
Inside Studio 8H, the crowd’s response was mixed. Some viewers burst into laughter, while others groaned at the bluntness of Jost’s remark. The comedian smirked through the tension, seemingly unfazed by the divided reaction. Co-anchor Michael Che followed with his own attempt to top the joke, targeting Trump again with a line about his newly renovated White House bathroom during the ongoing government shutdown.Che later leaned into the dark humour further, joking about the New York City mayoral race and even invoking the “9/11” meme, a move that drew gasps and laughter in equal measure.
SNL’s long history of risky political comedy
For decades, Saturday Night Live has balanced satire and controversy, using Weekend Update as its sharpest political weapon. From Chevy Chase mocking Gerald Ford’s clumsiness in the 1970s to Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of Trump in recent years, SNL’s humour has often walked a fine line between wit and offence.Jost and Che, who have co-anchored Weekend Update since 2014, are known for their contrasting comedic styles: Jost’s sharp political commentary paired with Che’s darker, more provocative humour. Their chemistry often relies on pushing boundaries, and this week’s episode was no exception.
Bowen Yang’s comeback as George Santos
The segment also featured SNL star Bowen Yang’s return as former Congressman George Santos, who recently had his prison sentence commuted by Trump. In his first appearance since the news, Yang’s Santos claimed prison had changed him and vowed to “only tell the truth.” The skit quickly spiralled into absurdity when Santos declared he was Black, a callback to his character’s history of outrageous lies.The sketch provided some levity after Jost’s edgy opener, reminding viewers of SNL’s knack for mixing political satire with over-the-top character work.
