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SNL’s ‘White Potus’ Sketch Lampoons ‘The White Lotus’ with Trump Family
Saturday Night Live (SNL) captivated audiences with a star-studded comedy sketch that parodied HBO’s The White Lotus. The SNL parody, titled ‘The White Potus,’ transported Donald Trump and the First Family to a luxurious and enigmatic resort, mirroring the setting of the popular series. This uproarious SNL sketch quickly became a highlight, blending political satire with pop culture commentary.
The sketch comedy program presented ‘The White Potus,’ a parody of the acclaimed HBO series, featuring numerous cameos and subtle allusions to the Ratliff family from the recently concluded third season.
Star-Studded Cast and Celebrity Cameos
SNL’s Trump impressionist, James Austin Johnson, was joined by notable figures including host Jon Hamm as Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Scarlett Johansson portraying Ivanka Trump, and Lizzo taking on the role of spa manager Belinda.
SNL veterans Beck Bennett and Alex Moffat also made appearances, reprising their portrayals of Vladimir Putin and a comical, intellectually inferior interpretation of Eric Trump, respectively.
Social Media Reacts to ‘The White Potus’ Sketch
Viewers expressed their amusement and positive reactions to the sketch across social media platforms.
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- One user commented, ‘Ok… the SNL bit The White Potus killed. Slayed. Annihilated,’ highlighting the sketch’s comedic impact.
- Another added, ‘The White Potus might be the funniest thing SNL has done all season,’ praising its comedic quality.
- One commenter specifically mentioned the host: ‘Jon Hamm totally embodies RFK Jr. in The White POTUS sketch!’ acknowledging Hamm’s performance.
Character Highlights and Key Moments
James Austin Johnson utilized extensive prosthetics to embody President Trump, while Chloe Fineman played Melania Trump, opting to mimic Parker Posey’s character, Victoria, rather than impersonating the former First Lady directly.
The sketch commences with Melania attempting to engage with Donald, who disregards her and instead consumes pills from a bottle shaped like a McDonald’s Chicken McNugget.
Former SNL cast member Alex Moffat returned as Eric Trump, alongside Mikey Day as Don Jr., continuing the show’s long-standing depiction of Don Jr. as unintelligent. The pair substituted for The White Lotus’ Lochlan and Saxon, and even the show’s infamous blender was included in the parody.
Eric is depicted creating a smoothie from a gold watch after Don Jr. suggests it’s ‘about time’ to make one.
Don Jr. then inquires about Ivanka’s whereabouts, remarking that ‘she’s been missing for dad’s entire presidency.’
Scarlett Johansson, the wife of Weekend Update co-anchor Colin Jost, appeared in the sketch, reprising her role as Ivanka, intended as a stand-in for Sarah Catherine Hook’s Piper character.
Ivanka’s character is questioned: ‘You must ask yourself: Am I willing to give up greed and material possessions?’
Johansson’s Ivanka, without uttering any lines, is shown immediately fleeing after the question is posed.
The sketch transitions back to Donald, Don Jr., and Melania at lunch, where the president observes headlines announcing a ‘worldwide recession.’ Don Jr. then questions Melania about her Southern accent, to which she simply replies that she is from North Carolina.
SNL also briefly parodied Howard Lutnick, with Don Jr. stating about him: ‘He wants to see America get bent over by other countries.’
The Trumps then mention ‘that man that arrived on the boat with us,’ leading to an introduction of this week’s host, Jon Hamm, as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Hamm merges RFK Jr.’s persona with Walton Goggins’ Rick Hatchett character, proclaiming ideas such as: ‘I have all these crazy ideas in my head, like… I have this syringe full of active measles virus and I just want to stab everybody with it! I just have these insane ideas like what if we took all the fluoride out of the drinking water, what would peoples’ teeth look like?’
SNL cast member Sarah Sherman portrays Aimee Lou Wood’s Chelsea, expressing dismay as RFK Jr. plans to kill and consume a monkey.
The sketch takes an unexpected turn with cast members Ashley Padilla, Heidi Gardner, and Marcello Hernandez as Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem, and Marco Rubio at dinner. Rubio is abruptly taken away by Vladimir Putin after expressing insecurity about his popularity.
‘You look sad, come, dance with me,’ says Putin, played shirtless by former cast member Beck Bennett, as he escorts Rubio away.
‘King’ Trump and Unexpected Finale
President Trump is later seen in his room wearing a t-shirt that reads ‘KING,’ reminiscent of Jason Isaacs’ character’s Duke University t-shirt from ‘The White Lotus.’
Uncle Sam then appears to Trump, prompting the president to aim a gun at him and declare: ‘I’m gonna’ do it, I’m gonna put a 500 percent tariff on China!’
Shirtless Vladimir Putin reappears and grasps Trump’s shoulder, inquiring about his well-being.
‘Oh, Vladimir, I think I’ve been having weird dreams,’ he responds.
The sketch concludes with an abrupt and random scene of Don Jr. in bed with Tiger Woods, portrayed by Kenan Thompson, who, in reality, is dating Don Jr.’s former spouse, Vanessa.
Trump-Heavy Episode and Economic Commentary
Overall, the skit was a highlight of a Trump-centric episode.
The show commenced with Johnson, as Trump, interrupting a play depicting Jesus overturning tables at the temple.
‘Hi, it’s me, your favorite president, Donald Jesus Trump, comparing myself to the son of God once again. Many people are even calling me the Messiah for the mess I made out of the economy,’ Johnson’s Trump stated in the opening sketch.
The Trump parody also incorporated humor regarding the recent economic downturn.
‘The stock market did a Jesus. It died, then on the third day, it was risen. And then on the fourth day, it died again. Possibly, never to return, just like Jesus,’ the Trump character quipped.
Musical guest Lizzo, who played Belinda in ‘The White Potus’ sketch, also referenced tariffs, wearing a top that read: ‘Tarrified’ during her musical performance.
The White Lotus achieved widespread popularity in Season 3, although some critics found the season finale to be underwhelming.