The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 11, 2025
Today: April 11, 2025

‘SNL’ takes on Donald Trump’s tariffs and Morgan Wallen’s ‘God’s country’ comment in cold open

'SNL' takes on Donald Trump's tariffs and Morgan Wallen's 'God's country' comment in cold open
April 06, 2025

(CNN) — Saturday Night Live” cast member James Austin Johnson returned as Donald Trump during the latest episode’s cold open to give his version of the president’s recent “Liberation Day” tariff announcement.

During the sequence, Johnson as Trump stood at the podium recreating Trump’s announcement in the Rose Garden, joking that his tariff plan will “make America Great Depression again.”

Last week, Trump announced 10% tariffs on all imports into the United States, and even higher tariffs on goods from about 60 countries or trading blocs that have a high trade deficit with the US.

“We’ll be the ones eating the cats and the dogs,” Johnson as Trump joked on “SNL,” referencing Trump’s comments about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio during the presidential debate in September.

Johnson as Trump also said no country is “safe” from his tariffs, including an island uninhabited by humans called McDonald Island, a place he said he’d like to visit.

“Can you imagine that, a Big Mac in a Hula skirt? Ooh la la,” Johnson as Trump said, showing artwork that had imagery of the American fast food chain.

“Get me to God’s country,” he added, referencing country singer Morgan Wallen’s Instagram story that he posted last week after he abruptly exited the “SNL” stage without acknowledging the other cast members following his appearance as that episode’s musical guest.

A source familiar with the situation previously told CNN that Wallen walked close to the side of the camera at the time since he used the same path to enter and exit the studio all week during rehearsals.

On the latest episode, “SNL” alum and comedic actor Mike Myers also made his return as Elon Musk in the cold open, this time wearing a cheesehead hat saying he’d just come back from Wisconsin, where the real Musk had been involved in the state’s Supreme Court election.

Jack Black hosted the episode – for the first time in 20 years – with Elton John and Brandi Carlile serving as the musical guests.

CNN’s Bryan Mena contributed to this report.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2025 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

Related Articles

Q&A: What has China done so far? What could China do next? Trump has 90 days to do 150 trade deals. Financial markets aren’t buying it UK economy enjoyed unexpected growth spurt in February before Trump tariff turmoil Trump’s economic team of rivals braces for turbulence after doing little to curb his tariff appetite

Related

Business|Economy|Political|US

Trump has begun another trade war. Here's a timeline of how we got here

Business|Economy|Finance|Political|Stock Markets|US

Trump has begun another trade war. Here's a timeline of how we got here

Business|Economy|Europe|Political|World

Canada and the EU swiftly retaliate against Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs

Asia|Business|Economy|Political|US|World

India's trade minister heads to US for talks as Trump tariffs loom, officials say

Business|Economy|Political|US|World

USTR Greer: Will talk trade with Taiwan, Israel on Friday

Business|Economy|Finance|Political|US

Another inflation report underlines the strength of the US economy before Trump’s tariff chaos

Local

News|Local

Palisades Recreation Center to be rebuilt

Arts|Celebrity|Entertainment|Local|News|WrittenByLAPost

Weezer bassist to play Coachella despite wife’s arrest

Environment|Local|News

Most Colorado River states lag in water recycling: New study

Local

How gas prices have changed in El Centro in the last week

Share This

Popular

Celebrity|Entertainment|Health

Eric Dane, star of 'Euphoria' and Grey's Anatomy,' reveals he has ALS

Eric Dane, star of 'Euphoria' and Grey's Anatomy,' reveals he has ALS
Arts|Celebrity|Entertainment|Science|Technology

Ahead of spaceflight, Katy Perry is reading Carl Sagan and channeling her 'feminine divine'

Ahead of spaceflight, Katy Perry is reading Carl Sagan and channeling her 'feminine divine'
Celebrity|Entertainment

Mariah Carey on new music, Rihanna, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and her lost grunge album

Mariah Carey on new music, Rihanna, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and her lost grunge album
Arts|Celebrity|Entertainment|Political

Yoko Ono details pain of post-Beatles life with John Lennon in new documentary

Yoko Ono details pain of post-Beatles life with John Lennon in new documentary

Political

Business|Economy|Finance|Political|Stock Markets|US|World

The Latest: Global tariff battle escalates as China retaliates with 125% tariffs on US goods

The Latest: Global tariff battle escalates as China retaliates with 125% tariffs on US goods
Economy|Education|Europe|Health|Political

German experiment gave people a basic monthly income. The effect on their work ethic was surprising

German experiment gave people a basic monthly income. The effect on their work ethic was surprising
Europe|Political|US|World

Ukraine’s European allies say Russian aggression is pushing peace out of reach, as US envoy meets Putin

Ukraine’s European allies say Russian aggression is pushing peace out of reach, as US envoy meets Putin
Africa|Business|Economy|Finance|Political

Trade turmoil stymies emerging market bond sale bonanza

Trade turmoil stymies emerging market bond sale bonanza

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In