The White House has criticised Saturday Night Live after the comedy show’s latest cold open poked fun at President Donald Trump and his feud with late-night television hosts.
The sketch, which opened Season 51 on October 4, referenced the temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! following comments the host made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr had condemned Kimmel’s remarks, prompting the satirical segment to imagine that SNL could be Trump’s next target.
When asked for comment, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson dismissed the episode entirely. “Reacting to this would require me to waste my time watching it,” Jackson said in an email to USA TODAY. “And like the millions of Americans who have tuned out from SNL, I have more entertaining things to do — like watch paint dry.”
In the sketch, Trump, portrayed by James Austin Johnson, warns that he is “keeping my eye on SNL” and insists the show must “be on their best behaviour” or risk action from his “attack dog at the FCC.”
Actor Mikey Day played Carr, entering as the song “Somebody’s Watching Me” played, before Johnson’s Trump ended the segment with, “Daddy’s watching!”
The exchange marks the latest clash between SNL and Trump, who has frequently accused the show of bias and misrepresentation. Despite his criticism, the programme continues to satirise him regularly.
SNL’s new season launched with several new cast members after a summer reshuffle, continuing its tradition of political parody that has long provoked reactions from public figures.
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