Trump White House hits back at 'SNL' over cold open
By: Anna Kaufman (USA TODAY)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Trump White House hits back at 'SNL' over cold open
The White House is hitting back after a "Saturday Night Live" sketch lampooned President Donald Trump's ongoing feud with the late-night lineup.
The cold open of the sketch show, which returned for Season 51 on Oct. 4, addressed the recent suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and spoofed the idea that "SNL" itself could be Trump's next target. Kimmel's show was pulled temporarily off the air following criticism from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr over comments the late-night host had made regarding the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The White House, which has frequently, along with Trump, characterized "SNL" as unfunny, doubled down on that sentiment in their response to the episode.
"Reacting to this would require me to waste my time watching it," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in an email to USA TODAY when asked for a reaction to the show. "And like the millions of Americans who have tuned out from 'SNL,' I have more entertaining things to do — like watch paint dry."
USA TODAY has reached out to the White House for further comment.
In the sketch, Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) warns he is "keeping my eye" on "SNL" and "making sure they don't do anything too mean about me." He goes on to declare that the show "better be on their best behavior, otherwise they'll have to answer to my attack dog at the FCC."
Carr, played by longtime cast member Mikey Day, then enters the screen as the song "Somebody's Watching Me" plays. Just before the sketch ends, Johnson's Trump stresses once again, "Daddy's watching!"
The back and forth represents the latest in an ongoing war of words between "Saturday Night Live" and one-time host Trump. The president has long criticized the show for its portrayal of him and what he views as the liberal bias that guides the show's programming. The cast, for their part, have not let up on their mocking of him.
"SNL" returned for its latest season following a cast shake-up over the summer, which saw the departure of several stars as five comedians were added to the cast.
Contributing: Brendan Morrow
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I would be concerned about a person who is incapable of taking a joke, and if they were in a position to cancel you - especially if the joke is also the truth.
How original !
Well, the WH has already demonstrated that none of them have a sense of humor