In a world that never seems to run short on drama, Saturday Night Live (SNL) continues to find fresh inspiration from real-world headlines, and their latest episode was no exception. On April 5, the iconic comedy show took aim at none other than tech mogul Elon Musk, stirring up a fresh wave of controversy and online reactions. The sketch, packed with the typical blend of SNL satire and absurdity, once again placed Musk in the comedic crosshairs, prompting a now-familiar response — a fiery outburst on social media.
This particular jab at Musk came in the form of a surprise appearance by Mike Myers, who took on the role of the billionaire entrepreneur in a sketch involving a bizarre new Tesla model. Myers’ portrayal was part of the “Trump Tariff Cold Open,” where James Austin Johnson reprised his role as former President Donald Trump. In the skit, Trump tries to calm the American public after a fictional stock market collapse triggered by a new tariff announcement. “South Africa imposes a 60% tariff on everything we send them, and they’ve never even sent us one good thing,” Trump declares, prompting laughter from the studio audience.
Just as the segment neared its conclusion, Mike Myers made a dramatic entrance as Elon Musk, sporting a cheesehead hat — a cheeky reference to the real-life moment when Musk wore one while supporting a Trump-endorsed candidate during a Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Myers, as Musk, joked, “That was from when I tried to buy the election in Wisconsin. I’m an idiot. I should have just bought Wisconsin!”
The sketch then took an even more surreal turn as Myers introduced the fictional Tesla Model-V, a spoof on the electric vehicle brand’s latest innovations. “This is the first electric car designed to vandalize itself,” he announced with mock enthusiasm. “It comes with self-smashing headlights, self-slashing tires, and AI-powered graffiti.” The audience roared with laughter as the absurdity escalated, showcasing SNL’s talent for pushing comedic boundaries.
However, the real Elon Musk wasn’t laughing. Known for his unfiltered social media presence, Musk responded shortly after the episode aired. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), the billionaire criticized the show, writing, “SNL hasn’t been funny in a long time. They are their own parody.” His blunt remarks reignited an ongoing feud between Musk and the comedy institution that he once hosted himself back in 2021. Although that appearance was met with mixed reviews, it represented a moment of goodwill between the entrepreneur and the show — a goodwill that seems to have since evaporated.
Musk’s response quickly sparked a wave of commentary online. Supporters and critics alike jumped into the conversation, with reactions ranging from outrage to amusement. One viewer slammed the sketch as “really poor,” and accused the show of mocking people with Asperger’s syndrome — a condition Musk openly discussed during his hosting gig four years ago. “Making fun of high-functioning Asperger’s is typical of the mentally ill left,” the viewer posted, drawing a clear political line in their critique.
Autism Capital, a well-known citizen journalism account on X that often supports Musk, also expressed strong disapproval. “This is such exceedingly bad taste. Wow. Not funny at all, just mean. Born from hate, not humor,” the account posted. These reactions underscored a growing sentiment among Musk’s followers that SNL has shifted too far into mean-spirited parody, rather than clever satire.
But not everyone saw the sketch as a cruel attack. Others found the humor in SNL’s portrayal, poking fun at Musk’s outsized reactions. Social media lit up with memes and jokes. One user mockingly tweeted, “Boo hoo crybaby,” accompanied by a crying cat meme — a classic internet move. Another quipped, “Didn’t you host a few years ago? You just don’t like that they made fun of you.” The internet, ever ready with its arsenal of sarcasm and snark, seemed split between outrage and laughter.
What makes this particular incident noteworthy is how SNL continues to tap into the zeitgeist. Musk, being a constant fixture in tech, politics, and pop culture, is an easy and frequent target. His polarizing persona — equal parts visionary and provocateur — invites scrutiny, parody, and sometimes, direct ridicule. For a show like SNL, built on lampooning the rich and powerful, Musk is comedic gold.
And the fact that Musk so often takes the bait only adds to the show’s momentum. His fiery posts, which often come within hours of an episode airing, serve to validate the impact of the skits. It creates a loop where satire prompts outrage, which fuels more satire — a cycle that benefits both the show and its ratings. Whether intentional or not, Musk has become an integral part of the SNL narrative in recent years.
Mike Myers’ impersonation also stood out, not just for its physical comedy, but for its smart writing. By referencing Musk’s past political donations, his controversial statements, and his unpredictable behavior, the skit didn’t just go for easy laughs — it touched on real moments that reflect how the world sees Musk today. The cheesehead hat wasn’t just a prop — it was a jab at Musk’s involvement in politics, a realm he frequently dips into despite claiming a more apolitical stance.
As the dust settles from this latest sketch, one thing is clear: this probably won’t be the last time SNL pokes fun at Musk. And judging by his reaction, it won’t be the last time he fires back either. The interplay between public figures and parody is as old as SNL itself. Some celebrities take it in stride, others fight back. Musk, true to form, always seems ready to do the latter.
With the next episode already on the horizon, fans and critics alike are wondering — who will be the next target, and will Musk be making another digital cameo via a tweetstorm? One thing’s for sure: Saturday Night Live remains as relevant as ever by doing what it does best — making headlines and stirring the pot, one sketch at a time.
