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Elon Musk Is Portrayed on ‘SNL’: “The Worst Thing South Africa Has Ever Done”
Comedian Jeremy Culhane portrayed Elon Musk on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update, joking about the losses of candidates Musk had backed and the troubles facing his Cybertruck. The sketch matters because it returned Musk to the show’s political satire, amid debate over whether comedy makes him seem harmless or draws attention to his influence.
Colin Jost said Musk had spent nearly half a billion dollars on midterm campaigns, with almost all his supported candidates losing; the sketch also referenced Texas politics and a Cybertruck flip. When Musk asked Grok for a roast, it delivered insults about his South African origins, public appearances and children. The article notes Musk’s recent high-profile business and political activity, and contrasts Culhane’s restrained portrayal with Mike Myers’s earlier, broader impression.
In short
- Jeremy Culhane portrayed Musk on SNL’s Weekend Update.
- The sketch mocked his campaign spending and Cybertruck problems.
- Its satire revived debate over how Musk is depicted.
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The case for
Supporters of the sketch can argue that satire is a legitimate way to scrutinise a powerful figure whose business and political activity attracts public attention. By joking about campaign losses and Cybertruck problems, it gives audiences an accessible way to discuss his influence and holds him to the same comic scrutiny as other public figures.
The case against
Critics can argue that a restrained, humorous portrayal risks making Musk’s political influence seem like harmless entertainment, rather than prompting serious examination of its consequences. They may also object that jokes about his origins, family or public image personalise the story and distract from substantive questions about his actions and power.
Explained simply
Elon Musk is a business owner born in South Africa who leads companies including Tesla, which makes electric cars, and the social media platform X. His businesses and public comments have made him a prominent figure in debates about technology and politics.
Musk has also supported political candidates, including in US elections, where donors can spend money to back campaigns. Saturday Night Live is a US comedy programme known for sketches about public figures; its Weekend Update segment uses jokes to comment on current affairs.
The sketch reflects discussion about how comedy portrays powerful people such as Musk. Some viewers see satire as a way to draw attention to their influence, while others argue that jokes can make serious issues seem less consequential.