Saturday Night Live kicked off its latest episode with a playful jab at President Trump’s recent trip to the Middle East, particularly his developing friendship with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The sketch even suggested that the Qatari government might take over U.S. air force responsibilities while Trump remains in office.
In the skit, Trump humorously stated, “I didn’t make this trip for myself. I want to make it clear… I did this for the American people and, in many ways, for my own personal gain.” The sketch referred to his aircraft as “pre-briv,” implying that Qatar hadn’t made any demands in return for the trip.
SNL also took a shot at the ongoing issues with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which had been causing major airport delays and aircraft closures due to air traffic control disruptions.
“People are saying I really should fly American planes,” Trump quipped while Emil Wakim, portraying the Crown Prince, listened nearby. “Um, no, honey—have you ever seen what’s going on on the plane?”
The comedic portrayal suggested that Trump’s relationships with Saudi leaders were akin to “love” and included some light-hearted commentary about the presence of a “Mobile MacDonald’s” welcoming him overseas.
“We’re together now—just kidding, of course, but we’ve got a vibe,” Wakim’s character remarked.
Trump, who had just returned from visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, described the trip as a significant achievement for his administration. “It was a great moment for our country,” he told reporters before boarding Air Force One, adding that the respect shown to the U.S. was remarkable.
In the closing scenes of the SNL skit, Johnson, portraying Trump, interacts with the audience, surrounded by young women. “It’s nice here with all the cute young folks,” he said, before hinting at the end of the season, though he noted the “real” Trump is still “all-in.”
In a tongue-in-cheek reference, he said, “Even in your dreams, like the legendary Freddy Krueger.”
When SNL aired, Trump shared some clips from his trip on his social media platform but did not address the show directly.
The White House has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the segment.
