A Toast to Freedom, a Touch of trump on SNL
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The Founding Fathers gathered on Saturday Night Live, ready to celebrate their hard-won independence.They were joined by a familiar face – Lin-Manuel Miranda, back as the ever-charismatic alexander Hamilton. Wrapping up their signing of the declaration of Independence, Miranda, in character, declared, “I say our lives matter not if we lose them in the cause of liberty. What matters is the nation we build.”
The energy was high, the moment electric, as Miranda then launched into a rap, his words echoing the spirit of the time: “‘Cause in America, we’re all created equal. America, not England. We’re doing the sequel. And we will have leaders, but know one thing. In America,we will never have a king.”
But just as the Founding Fathers clinked glasses in festivity, a familiar intruder crashed the party. It was President Trump, played by James Austin Johnson, who quipped, “Never say Never.”
The joke landed, but Johnson’s Trump wasn’t done. He added, “Kidding, of course, but in many ways I’m not,” leaving the audience wondering what he truly meant.
SNL Roasts Trump’s Second Term with Satirical Sketches
Saturday Night Live didn’t hold back in its latest episode, delivering a scathing and hilarious roast of Donald Trump’s second term in the Oval Office. Host Timothée Chalamet was on fire, both musically and in his comedic timing, while cast members like Cecily Strong and Mikey day brought their A-game to the political punchlines. But the showstopper was undoubtedly the recurring portrayal of Trump by comedian James Austin Johnson.
Johnson perfectly captured Trump’s signature bombast and bluster,taking aim at a variety of targets. He lampooned Trump’s rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, quipping that the former president insisted, “We’re done with LGBT. no more drag. no more guys in wigs. No more whatever these guys were wearing. What a weird way to dress. A little zesty.” he even skewered Melania Trump’s inauguration Day attire, drawing comparisons to “Kung Lao from ‘Mortal Kombat.'”
Not even Elon Musk was spared from Johnson’s Trump impersonation, which included the biting line, “to quote some of his children…I do not want him in my life.” The bit also included a pointed jab at Trump’s executive order officially recognizing only two sexes, stating, “From now on there will be two genders. One to work and one to cook.”
Even Lin-Manuel Miranda couldn’t escape the presidential satire. He found himself frozen in a sketch alongside other cast members as Johnson’s Trump hilariously referred to him as “Lin-Manuel Miranda Cosgrove.”
The episode proved once again that SNL remains a vital platform for political satire, fearlessly tackling current events and holding those in power accountable, one hilarious sketch at a time.
How does James Austin Johnson balance accuracy with humor when portraying Donald Trump?
SNL’s James Austin Johnson on Masterfully Mocking Donald Trump – An Archyde Exclusive
This week’s episode of Saturday Night Live hit notably hard with its political satire,showcasing James Austin Johnson’s masterful impersonation of Donald Trump. Archyde had the prospect to sit down with Johnson to discuss his process, the impact of his portrayal, adn the future of political satire.
Archyde: James, your portrayal of Donald Trump on SNL has become iconic. What makes capturing his essence so challenging,yet so rewarding?
James Austin Johnson: It’s definitely a balancing act. You want to be accurate, to nail the mannerisms, the cadence, the way he thinks, but you also want to be funny. It’s about finding the comedic gold in those moments and not just mimicking him for the sake of it. And it’s rewarding as people connect with it. They laugh, they gasp, they engage in conversation about it. It shows that this kind of satire still has power, even in these divided times.
Archyde: This week’s episode saw Trump appearing in a sketch with Lin-Manuel Miranda, even referencing him by the incorrect name “Lin-manuel Miranda Cosgrove.” how do you approach collaborating with other cast members on these politically charged skits?
James Austin Johnson: It’s a team effort without a doubt.We bounce ideas around, we play scenes with different energy levels, we push each other to make it funnier and sharper. with something like the Miranda sketch, the beauty is that it plays on expectations. The absurdity of Trump somehow getting him confused with someone else adds an extra layer of humor.
Archyde: SNL has a long legacy of political satire, and you’re part of that tradition. In your view, what is the moast important role of political satire today?
James Austin Johnson: I think satire can hold a mirror up to society and make people laugh at themselves, which can sometimes be the first step to understanding a complex issue. It can make things more digestible, more approachable, and hopefully, it can spark important conversations. It’s not about preaching, it’s about provoking thought.
