'SNL' Mocks Trump's AI-Generated Image of Himself Dressed as Pope Francis Post-Funeral

On April 26, former U.S. President Donald Trump attended Pope Francis' funeral, the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church. Just a week later, on May 3, Trump and the White House posted an AI-generated image to Instagram showing the former president dressed in elaborate white papal robes. This image drew immediate criticism and satire from various quarters. "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) swiftly lampooned the image during its "Weekend Update" segment. Colin Jost, one of the show's stars, quipped that the image looked like Trump was "ordering a one-way ticket to hell." Jost also pointed out the apparent insensitivity of posting a photo of oneself dressed as someone who had recently passed away, questioning, "Who posts a photo of themselves dressed like a guy who died a week ago?" Jost further mocked the situation by suggesting Trump must have thought, "Oh, we should do a 'who wore it best?'" as he walked past Pope Francis' open casket. The controversy didn't stop at SNL. The New York State Catholic Conference strongly criticized the post on X (formerly Twitter), calling it "disrespectful" and urging Trump not to mock the recent burial of Pope Francis. Conservative commentator and former political insider Bill Kristol also chimed in on X, asking Vice President JD Vance if he was "fine with this disrespect and mocking of the Holy Father." Vance, a Catholic convert who had met Pope Francis the day before his death, responded curtly, stating that he is generally fine with jokes but not with "starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen." The image resurfaced in another SNL segment, the "cold open," which referenced Trump's 100 days in office. James Austin Johnson, playing Trump, boasted about signing 147 executive orders, ranging from "banning paper straws" to "defunding PBS." In a biting joke, Johnson mentioned that Elmo from "Sesame Street" had been handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) because "L stands for El Salvador." He also humorously suggested renaming the recession as "recess," playfully asking America to prepare for a "historically long recess!" The White House did not respond to Business Insider’s request for comment on the image or the subsequent criticism. However, the incident highlighted the ongoing tension between Trump's public persona and the sensitivity required in matters of religious significance, particularly following a high-profile funeral. Industry insiders and commentators have noted the broader implications of this event. Some see it as a reflection of Trump's persistent self-aggrandizement, even in times of solemnity and respect. Others point out the potential misuse of AI in generating misleading or offensive content. SNL's swift response underscores the show's role in shaping public opinion and its continued relevance in commenting on contemporary political issues. The New York State Catholic Conference's condemnation highlights the deep emotional and spiritual significance of papal transitions within the Catholic community and their intolerance for such mockery. In terms of company profiles, "Saturday Night Live" has a longstanding tradition of satirizing political figures and current events. Founded in 1975, SNL remains one of the most influential and widely watched sketch comedy shows in the United States, known for its sharp wit and timely commentary. The White House, under Trump's leadership, has often been a target of SNL's humor, reflecting the show's critical stance on the former president's actions and statements.