'Saturday Night Live' Targets Trump for AI-Papal Image

The comedy sketch show 'Saturday Night Live' recently poked fun at an AI-created image featuring Donald Trump dressed in papal attire, an image disseminated by both the former president and the White House.

During the 'Weekend Update' segment, comedian Colin Jost seized the opportunity to ridicule the image which showed Trump donning elaborate papal garments. Jost quipped that the image seemed like Trump was signing up for 'a direct journey to hell.'

'Who would share a snapshot of themselves mimicking someone who passed away just days prior?' Jost humorously queried.

Donald Trump attended the funeral of Pope Francis, the 266th leader of the Catholic Church, on April 26. Shortly after, on the following Saturday, the AI-generated image was published on Instagram by Trump and the White House.

In another jest, Jost took a jab at Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, suggesting that Trump should avoid Vance if he's serious about becoming pope. Vance had met Pope Francis just prior to the pontiff's passing.

Adding to the humor, Jost speculated that Trump might have walked past the late pope’s casket, considering a 'who wore it best?' scenario.

Jost concluded his segment by labelling the image as 'borderline irreverent.'

On the following Tuesday, during an engagement with reporters, Trump jestingly mentioned his interest in becoming the pope, expressing it as his 'top choice.'

It wasn't just SNL challenging Trump's AI image. The New York State Catholic Conference also aired their grievance on X platform, remarking, 'This picture, Mr. President, lacks taste and humor.'

They continued, 'As we have just laid Pope Francis to rest and the cardinals prepare for a serious conclave to choose the next St. Peter’s successor, it is inappropriate to mock us.'

Political commentator Bill Kristol, formerly Vice President’s Chief of Staff during Bush’s era, questioned Vance on X about whether he endorsed this apparent disrespect toward the revered figure.

Further Reactions

Vance retorted with a post stating, 'Generally speaking, I have no issue with comedic comments, but I do take issue with unnecessary conflicts that bring great loss to my fellow citizens.'

SNL’s 'Cold Open' Skit – Elmo and Executive Orders

The skits continued with an SNL 'cold open,' referencing Trump’s first 100 days in power.

In impersonating Trump, James Austin Johnson boasted about his presidency milestone, having supposedly enacted 147 executive orders, ranging from banning paper straws to collectively defunding PBS.

Johnson humorously portrayed Elmo from 'The Muppets' as being transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, using the logic that 'L represents El Salvador.'

Amusingly renaming 'recession' as 'recess,' Johnson jested, 'Prepare for an extraordinarily prolonged recess, America!'

A request for commentary from Business Insider remained unanswered by the White House.