Graphic by Maya Uribe
By Evgeniya Lautt
A whirlwind meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at the White House on Feb. 28, descended into a 139 minutes spectacle of heated exchanges and sartorial criticism, inspiring “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) to deliver a biting parody featuring Mike Myers, actor and comedian, as tech mogul Elon Musk.
The closed-door discussion, intended to address U.S.-Ukraine relations, began contentiously when Trump reportedly admonished Zelenskyy for arriving without formal attire. “You’re not acting at all thankful,” Trump allegedly declared, chastising the Ukrainian leader for what he perceived as ingratitude toward American aid. Tensions escalated as Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III,” while the latter countered calmly, “I said thanks,” amid overlapping remarks.
The theatrics proved ripe for satire. In SNL’s skit, Mike Myers—best known for his iconic role in “Shrek”—stepped into the shoes of Elon Musk, mirroring the billionaire’s recent public antics. Donning Musk’s signature “TECH SUPPORT” T-shirt and wielding a prop chainsaw, a nod to Musk’s eyebrow-raising appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference from Feb. 19 to Feb. 22, Myers’ deadpan delivery captured the surreal tone of the meeting.
“Donald, what are you doing in my office?” Myers’ Musk quipped, before adding with a smirk, “You know I’m the president now, right? I’m kidding, I’m kidding—maybe not.” The skit crescendoed with Myers leaping into awkward star jumps while shouting, “Legalize comedy!”—a tongue-in-cheek critique of Musk’s recent advocacy for “free speech” reforms.
The parody also highlighted Trump’s unflappable demeanor, with a stone-faced character remarking, “I’m so comfortable with all of that,” as Myers’ Musk dominated the scene.
Social media erupted following the skit’s airing, with viewers praising Myers’ uncanny mimicry of Musk’s mannerisms and the writers’ sharp juxtaposition of geopolitical tension with absurdist humor. The real-life meeting’s blend of diplomatic friction and sartorial critique underscored the increasingly blurred lines between politics and performance—a theme SNL has masterfully exploited for decades.
