"Fun, right?": Trump executive orders mocked on "Saturday Night Live"

Salon - May 4th, 2025

Saturday Night Live opened with a satirical sketch imagining a series of outlandish executive orders by Donald Trump, portrayed by James Austin Johnson, alongside Stephen Miller, played by Mikey Day. The sketch poked fun at Trump’s rapid pace of signing executive orders, comparing it humorously to 'FDR in reverse.' The skit featured a comedic scenario where Trump and Miller introduced a slew of absurd policies, such as apprehending Elmo by ICE, reinstating Columbus Day, and normalizing large age gap relationships, in a lighthearted jab at the former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick's recent public appearance with a younger girlfriend. Other ridiculous directives included banning ghosts and shortening the word recession to 'recess,' with Trump humorously declaring a long recess for America.

This sketch reflects SNL's continued tradition of using satire to comment on political figures and current events, leveraging humor to highlight and critique the actions and behaviors of public figures like Trump. By exaggerating potential executive orders, SNL provides a playful yet pointed commentary on the nature of political power and decision-making under Trump's presidency. This skit is a part of a broader trend of comedic shows using satire to engage audiences with political discourse, emphasizing the ongoing cultural impact of Trump's presidency even after his term has ended.

Donald Trump Bill Belichick Saturday Night Live Comedy Stephen Miller Executive Orders Political Satire James Austin Johnson Mikey Day

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article effectively uses satire to engage readers with a humorous portrayal of Trump's executive orders through an "SNL" sketch. While it excels in clarity and readability, providing an entertaining narrative, it lacks balance and source quality by relying solely on a comedic source without additional factual support. The accuracy of specific claims, such as the number of executive orders, is not well-supported, which could mislead readers seeking factual information. Despite these limitations, the article is timely and engages with public interest topics, though its impact is primarily entertainment-focused rather than driving substantial public discourse or policy change. Overall, the story offers a light-hearted take on a serious subject, appealing to audiences interested in political satire but lacking depth in factual reporting and balanced perspective.

Accuracy

The article presents a comedic take on President Trump's executive orders through an "SNL" sketch, which inherently involves satire and exaggeration. The main factual claim regarding the number of executive orders signed by Trump compared to Biden is potentially misleading without specific figures. While the claim that Trump signed nearly as many executive orders in his first 100 days as Biden did in his entire term is provocative, it lacks precise data for verification. The comedic elements, such as banning ghosts or pardoning JK Rowling, are clearly fictional and not intended to be factual. The story's accuracy hinges on its portrayal of public perception and satire rather than strict factual reporting.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on a comedic portrayal of Trump, potentially skewing the balance by emphasizing satire over a factual account. It does not present counterpoints or a range of perspectives on Trump's actual policy decisions or executive orders. The reliance on satire from "SNL" means that the story leans towards a critical or mocking view of Trump without offering a balanced discussion of his policies or actions. This approach may limit the representation of diverse viewpoints, particularly those that might defend or rationalize Trump's use of executive orders.

Clarity

The article is written in a clear and engaging manner, effectively conveying the humor and satire of the "SNL" sketch. The language is accessible and the structure logical, with a straightforward presentation of the sketch's content. The tone is consistent with the comedic nature of the subject, making it easy for readers to follow and understand the intended humor. However, the clarity could be enhanced by distinguishing more clearly between satirical elements and factual claims.

Source quality

The primary source for the article is a comedic sketch from "Saturday Night Live," which is not a traditional news source. While "SNL" is a reputable entertainment program known for satire, it does not provide factual reporting. The article does not reference additional authoritative sources to support its claims about Trump's executive orders, which could enhance the reliability of its content. The reliance on a single entertainment source limits the depth and credibility of the reporting.

Transparency

The article clearly identifies its basis in a comedic sketch, which helps set expectations for readers about the nature of the content. However, it lacks transparency regarding the factual basis of the claims about executive orders, as it does not provide data or context for comparison between Trump and Biden. The absence of methodology or explanation for the selection of this particular sketch leaves readers without a full understanding of the article's context or intent.