Better to laugh than cry: Saturday Night Live’s ‘White Potus’ sketch with Jon Hamm is comedy gold

In Saturday Night Live’s most recent episode, they’ve produced a clever and hilarious sketch that spoofs Mike White’s “The White Lotus”, which recently aired its season three finale.

The parody sketch, which was a hit with viewers, is titled “The White POTUS” and features James Austin Johnson as president Donald Trump and Chloe Fineman portrayed Melania Trump, along with a host of other talented cast members.

The White POTUS: laughing to keep from crying

In case you’re not familiar, “The White Lotus” follows the lives of super wealthy families and friends who are all on vacation at the same resort. The third season was set in Thailand.

In the pre-recorded “White Potus” skit, the Trump family mimics the Ratliffe family from the series. Austin as Trump takes on the role of Timothy Ratliffe and Fineman as Melania takes on the role of Victoria Ratliffe. And then there are the three Ratliffe children: Mikey Day took the role of Donald Trump Jr. as Saxon, Alex Moffat plays Eric Trump as Lochlan, and Scarlett Johansson appears as Ivanka Trump as Piper.

“I mean, we are so lucky that America will always be a rich and powerful nation‚” said Fineman’s Melania in the skit. “I mean, can you imagine how awful it would be if America lost all its money and no one in the world respected us anymore?”

Just as Fineman is saying this, Trump looks at a trending article on his phone titled, “Trump triggers worldwide recession”. In the series, Tim’s wife is oblivious to his legal woes that will drain them of all their money and assets. We also see Trump popping a McDonald’s Chicken Nugget to relax, a nod to Tim’s character stealing his wife’s Lorazepam.

Also in the skit are Jon Hamm as Robert F. Kennedy (who portrays the character of Rick), Sarah Sherman in the role of Chelsea, Lizzo in the role of Belinda, and Marcello Hernández portraying Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“I have all these crazy ideas,” Hamm’s Kennedy says. “Like, I have this syringe full of active measles virus. I just want to stab somebody with it, you know?”

In the series, Tim fantasizes about killing himself and his family. In the spoof, Trump threatens to kill Uncle Sam (played by Andrew Dismukes). He’s stopped by shirtless Vladimir Putin (played by Beck Bennett). Putin’s character also comforts Rubio, who’s outcast by his friends.

The skit ends in a parody of the infamous incest scene between brothers Saxon and Lochlan - in this case, Eric and Don Jr. But in the skit, Don Jr. is getting intimate with Tiger Woods (played by Kenan Thompson). In real life, Woods is dating Don Jr.’s ex-wife, Vanessa Trump. Basically, they hit the nail on the head.

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