‘SNL’ Takes Aim at Elon Musk Over Controversial Trump Task Force Remarks: “Is Slavery His First Idea?”

In a biting segment on the latest episode of “Saturday Night Live,” the Weekend Update desk wasted no time roasting billionaire Elon Musk after his controversial comments regarding unpaid labor for workers in Donald Trump’s newly established Department of Government Efficiency. The segment, hosted by Michael Che and Colin Jost, highlighted Musk’s statement that employees would be expected to work “80-plus hours per week for no money.”

Che quipped, “You can’t be surprised that the white African guy’s first idea is slavery,” eliciting laughs and groans from the audience. His remarks underscore the societal concerns surrounding the implications of Musk’s leadership in a task force envisioned to cut waste in government operations. Musk, known for his wealth and ambitious projects in space travel and electric vehicles, seems to be drawing ire with his unconventional management style as he steps into the political arena.

Jost chimed in, throwing shade at other controversial Trump administration picks, such as Matt Gaetz, who has faced accusations related to a sex trafficking investigation and is under scrutiny for alleged relations with minors. “Trump nominated Gaetz for attorney general and Gaetz said the same thing he says when he sees a teenage girl: I’ll do it,” Jost joked, referencing Gaetz's recent resignation from Congress after being invited to join Trump’s team.

The analysis didn’t stop there; the duo took aim at the bizarre lineup of Trump’s nominations, including the controversial choice of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Department of Health and Human Services. “Congratulations to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who became the first brain worm survivor nominated to a cabinet-level position,” Jost remarked, poking fun at Kennedy's outspoken views on vaccines. “His skin is always cooked to a perfect medium rare, but who knows, maybe he’ll surprise us!”

This week’s show was hosted by Charli XCX, who showcased her talent not only as the episode’s host but also as its musical guest. Viewers tuned in eagerly, not just for the laughs from the Weekend Update, but also to see how well Charli could balance her dual roles.

With the political climate heating up and more Trump appointees coming under scrutiny, “SNL” continues to be a vibrant platform for sharp social commentary and satirical critique. As audiences keenly anticipate the fallout from these political picks, one can only wonder: how far will the humor and the controversy go as the new administration unfolds? Stay tuned—the laughter might just be the only comfort we have!