Saturday Night Live (SNL) sparked backlash this weekend after the long-running comedy show mocked President Donald Trump and the ongoing conflict with Iran during its opening sketch.
The NBC program opened with a cold-open scene set at a gas station where a family struggled to fill their car because of rising fuel prices.
Actor James Austin Johnson, who frequently portrays Trump on the show, stepped into the scene and addressed viewers directly.
“Hi, it’s me, Donald Trump,” Johnson said while impersonating the president.
“You might remember me from such campaign promises as lower gas prices and no more wars.”
The character then delivered a sarcastic punchline.
“Psych! We love to make promises, because a promise is just a lie that hasn’t happened yet.”
The sketch continued with jokes about the stock market and rising fuel costs tied to the conflict with Iran.
At one point, the character joked that gas prices were high because of the war.
“Gas prices are very high because of war with Iran, which is where they make gas,” Johnson’s Trump said. “I wish someone had told me that.”
Another moment referenced comments by actor Timothée Chalamet about the decline of ballet and opera.
Johnson’s Trump compared Iran to those art forms in a confusing joke that appeared to fall flat.
Audience members could be heard groaning during the segment.
Several viewers online quickly pointed out the awkward reaction.
“The SNL audience literally groaned at that joke,” one viewer wrote.
Others said the audience response suggested the sketch had missed the mark, as the Daily Mail reported.
“The audience was silent. Just so bad,” another person posted.
The sketch also featured a parody of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
SNL cast member Colin Jost appeared as Hegseth climbing out of the back seat of the family’s car while empty beer cans spilled onto the pavement.
“If you’re wondering why I was in the back seat of this random family’s car,” the character said, “I’ll tell you the same thing I say when people ask about our plans for Iran: I don’t know.”
Jost’s character then launched into a mock press briefing criticizing the media.
“The real problem is all you gaybees in the media are completely unpatriotic,” he said.
Online reaction from conservative viewers was swift.
Many accused the comedy show of political bias against Trump.
“It’s SNL… biased comedy since 1975,” one commenter wrote on social media.
Another viewer argued the show ignored similar issues during previous administrations.
“SNL had all the material they needed during the Biden administration but failed to deliver,” one critic wrote.
Others simply said the sketch was not funny.
“SNL hasn’t been funny for 30 years,” another commenter wrote.
Gas prices have recently risen amid tensions in the Middle East.
According to AAA, the national average reached about $3.60 per gallon this week.
The increase follows military strikes against Iran as part of the ongoing conflict.
Saturday Night Live has frequently targeted political figures in its sketches.
The Iran conflict has become a recurring theme in the show’s cold opens in recent weeks.
Last month, the program aired another sketch about the military strikes on the same day the attacks were launched.
Despite the criticism, the show continues to attract large audiences.
This week’s episode was hosted by singer Harry Styles, who also served as the musical guest.
