Saturday Night Live (SNL) star Colin Jost lambasted politicians and praised journalists at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night, highlighting political tensions at home and deadly attacks abroad. It brought humor to a time of conflict.
Jost, 41, opened his speech Saturday night with a light criticism of both President Biden and former President Trump, their respective party’s front-runners seeking victory in November.
After footage of Jost himself working as a young reporter in high school was shown on screen, the comedian took the opportunity to poke fun at Biden’s age.
“President Biden can’t do that because this technology wasn’t invented when he was in high school,” Jost quipped. “That’s really not fair.”
The SNL comedian also turned to Trump. Trump is currently facing his first hush money criminal trial in New York, where he faces 34 felony charges.
“Good evening, everyone. I’m Colin Jost, and I’m here to give you the Republican answer,” he quipped. “To be honest, I don’t have much time to get back to New York because I’m the fifth juror in a big trial. Trump’s lawyers took one look at me and thought they had to take our side. It seems that.”
Jost also took aim at Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), making fun of his past allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.
“We’re all here at Nerd Prom tonight,” Jost said. “Well, Matt Gaetz regularly attends prom, and I actually thought I saw Matt Gaetz here tonight, but it was actually my own reflection in the spoon.
News networks weren’t off limits during Jost’s performance either.
“Fox News is coming tonight. It’s the end of an era when Rupert Murdoch resigns from Fox News, which is strange, I never thought he would ever resign from Fox News,” Jost said with a short laugh. Told.
While joking about the New York Times, Jost slammed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for appearing to freeze twice during a news conference last year.
“Wardle is here tonight. Sorry, sorry. I meant the New York Times. I forgot they were doing something other than puzzles,” Jost said. “I have to say this doesn’t bode well when the only thing keeping print media companies afloat is the games people play on their phones… It’s too chilling for you guys. The room froze up faster than Mitch McConnell.”
Senate Democrats also came under fire during the roast.
“Sen. Bernie Sanders is here because he’s not the type of person to put up with a free hot meal,” Jost said.
After some more digging into Biden and Trump, he went after independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“By the way, President Biden, isn’t it crazy that he’s our second Catholic president? What’s even crazier is that in just a few months, we’ll have our third president in RFK Jr.,” Jost said. said. “Just kidding, his vaccine card says he’s not vaccinated.”
After making more jokes at the expense of the Oval Office nominee, Jost praised the reporters in a few lines.
“Journalists, these are difficult times, and we need the people in this room to guide us,” he said. “Your job is not easy. It can’t be helped that we live at the end of traditional media.”
“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to all the print journalists in this room,” Jost said. “Your words speak truth to power. Your words bring light into the darkness, and most importantly, your words train an AI program that will soon replace you. ”
Jost also praised Biden, calling him a “decent human being.”
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