“Saturday Night Live” returned with a sharp mockery of President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office during its cold open this weekend. The sketch, which featured James Austin Johnson as Trump and Mikey Day as White House adviser Stephen Miller, took aim at Trump’s actions with comedic exaggerations, bringing attention to his controversial executive orders and decisions.
Johnson, reprising his well-loved Trump impersonation, celebrated the milestone by showcasing his executive orders. He boasted about signing “147 executive orders,” which he claimed ranged from “banning paper straws to defunding PBS.” One of the sketch’s most absurd moments was when Day, as Miller, introduced an order that would “make it socially acceptable for a man in his 70s to date a 24-year-old,” a nod to the relationship of Bill Belichick, the football coach, and his younger girlfriend.
Other mock orders included making the New York Times game “Connections” easier, outlawing ghosts, and shortening the term “recession” to “recess.” “Recession will now be called ‘recess,’” Johnson’s Trump said. “America, get ready for a historically long recess!” The farcical sketch also saw Johnson signing a pardon for author JK Rowling and bringing back Columbus Day to protect “great Italian-American friends” like Tony Soprano and Childish Gambino.
The skit poked fun at Trump’s often chaotic and divisive approach to governance, exaggerating his moves in office with wild and humorous orders that highlighted the unpredictability of his administration. “SNL” also used the cold open to comment on the stark contrast between Trump’s early actions and past administrations, with a voiceover mocking Trump’s first 100 days by comparing him unfavourably to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who shaped modern America during his early days in office.
Trump’s first 100 Days: A chaotic start
Trump’s first 100 days have been a whirlwind of policy changes and executive orders that have shocked both Americans and the global community. His aggressive tariff policies, shifting stance on foreign affairs, and controversial decisions on issues like immigration and climate change have stirred up confusion and uncertainty across the political spectrum.
While the president has made bold moves in areas like trade and immigration, the impact has been mixed. Tariffs have raised concerns about increased costs for consumers, and his foreign policy, especially on Ukraine, has raised questions about America’s international standing. Meanwhile, the domestic economy has seen some successes, with lower inflation in certain areas, but the broader economic outlook remains volatile.
