The White House has reacted to the recent cold open of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) Season 51, which mocked Donald Trump and Brendan Carr, the FCC chair. Abigail Jackson, a spokesperson for the White House, expressed her indifference towards the show in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
White House Response to SNL’s Cold Open
Jackson dismissed the need to engage with the show’s humor. “Reacting to this would require me to waste my time watching it,” she stated. Instead, she noted that like many Americans, she opts for more entertaining activities.
Highlights from the Cold Open
The season premiere featured James Austin Johnson portraying Donald Trump. In a comedic exchange, Johnson’s Trump interrupted a skit involving Colin Jost as Pete Hegseth. He expressed concerns about SNL’s portrayal of him, claiming, “SNL wouldn’t do anything mean about me.”
- Johnson characterized Season 51 as off to a “rough start” due to the addition of 17 new cast members.
- He humorously referenced the show’s new “Update” guy performing in the cold open.
- Brendan Carr, played by Mikey Day, appeared to correct Trump’s mispronunciation of his name.
- The sketch ended with Trump asserting, “Remember: Daddy’s watching.”
James Austin Johnson’s Role
James Austin Johnson has been a prominent Trump impersonator on SNL since joining in 2021. His portrayal continues to draw attention, especially during election cycles and prominent political events.
The cold open not only reflects SNL’s long-standing tradition of political satire but also signals ongoing tensions between the White House and the media’s portrayal of political figures like Trump and Carr.
