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April 13, 2025 – New York City
In a bold blend of religious parody and political satire, Saturday Night Live opened its April 12 episode with an Easter-themed cold open that took direct aim at former President Donald Trump’s recently announced tariffs, drawing parallels between biblical events and modern economic woes.
The sketch, set as a spoof of the “Cleansing of the Temple,” portrayed Jesus driving money changers out of Jerusalem’s sacred grounds. Played by Mikey Day, Jesus declared, “I will rid this place of all its money,” a line that set the stage for a surprise entrance by James Austin Johnson’s Trump, who turned the scene into a self-congratulatory allegory about his own economic policies.
“Remind you of anyone?” Trump asked the audience, stepping into the temple scene with his signature bravado. “Wow, I also got rid of money last week, but instead of one temple, I did whole country, maybe even the globe. The money’s gone!”
Trump’s character went on to liken the turbulent aftermath of his April 2 tariff announcement to the resurrection, quipping: “The stock market? It died, then on the third day it was risen! And then on the fourth day, it died again, possibly never to return—like Jesus!”
The sketch skewered the chaotic rollout of the tariffs and their swift impact on global markets. Trump’s exaggerated comparisons and messianic overtones played on recent criticisms of his unpredictable economic strategies, while also mocking the rising cost of living. “People are hunting for eggs just like everyone’s doing in the grocery store right now,” he said. “Because they cost a trillion billion dollars!”
The segment, part of an episode hosted by Jon Hamm with musical guest Lizzo, maintained SNL’s long-running tradition of mixing current events with irreverent humor. In another sketch titled “The White POTUS,” a parody of HBO’s The White Lotus, Trump and his inner circle—Melania, Ivanka, Don Jr., and Eric—check into an elite resort to cope with the economic and political fallout. The segment featured a surreal lineup of figures including Beck Bennett as a shirtless Vladimir Putin, Kenan Thompson as Tiger Woods, and Hamm portraying RFK Jr., all intersecting in Trump’s bizarre vacation from reality.
Lizzo appeared in the sketch as a beleaguered American who had lost her savings due to the market crash, adding a sharp emotional punch to the satirical narrative.
The episode drew strong reactions online, with viewers praising both Johnson’s eerily accurate Trump impersonation and the show’s willingness to tackle weighty topics like economic disparity and political delusion with humor. Former cast members and fans alike commended the show’s blend of sharp writing, performance, and timely commentary.
As SNL continues its 50th season, the show proves it’s still a cultural barometer—especially when it comes to holding powerful figures accountable through comedy. With Trump’s economic policies making headlines once again, the cold open served not just as entertainment but as pointed political critique, wrapped in the absurdity only SNL can deliver.