SNL star Colin Jost roasts politicians, praises journalists at correspondents' dinner
Saturday Night Live (SNL) star Colin Jost roasted politicians and praised journalists at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Saturday night, bringing humor at a time of political tension at home and deadly conflicts overseas.
Jost, 41, kicked off his Saturday night address by throwing slight digs at both President Biden and former President Trump, frontrunners of their respective parties looking to win in November.
After the screen showed clips of Jost’s work as a young reporter himself in high school, the comedian seized the opportunity to poke fun at Biden over his age.
“You can't do it for President Biden because the technology wasn't invented when he was in high school,” Jost quipped. “It's not really fair.”
The SNL comedian also turned his sights to Trump, who is currently occupied in his first criminal hush money trial in New York where he faced 34 felony counts.
“Good evening, everyone, I’m Colin Jost and I'll be delivering the Republican response,” he quipped. “I'll be honest with you, I don't have a lot of time I need to get back to New York because I'm juror number five on a big trial. Trump’s lawyer took one look at me and he's like he's got to be on our side.”
Jost also threw shots at Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), including poking fun at previous allegations that the congressman had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.
“We are all here tonight at Nerd prom,” Jost said. “Well, Matt Gaetz is at regular prom, but I actually thought I saw Matt Gaetz here tonight but it was actually just my own reflection in a spoon.
News networks were also not off limits during Jost’s performance.
“Fox News is here tonight. It's the end of an era Rupert Murdoch stepped down at Fox News which is strange, I didn't think there was a step down from Fox News,” Jost said while cracking a brief laugh.
While joking about The New York Times, Jost roasted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for appearing to freeze twice during press conferences last year.
“Wordle is here tonight. Sorry, sorry. I meant The New York Times. I forgot they do stuff in addition to puzzles,” Jost said. “I have to say it's not a great sign when the only thing keeping a print media company alive are games people play on their phones…too chilling for you guys, room just froze faster than Mitch McConnell.”
Senate Democrats were also under fire during the roast.
“Senator Bernie Sanders is here because he's not the type to pass up a free hot meal,” Jost said.
After a few more digs towards Biden and Trump, he went after the independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“By the way, President Biden, isn't it crazy that he's only our second Catholic president and what's even crazier is that in just a few short months, we'll have our third in RFK Jr,” Jost said. “I am kidding, like his vaccine card says he doesn't have a shot.”
Following some more jokes at the expense of the Oval Office candidates, Jost took a few lines to praise reporters.
“Journalists, these are challenging times and we need the people in this room to help guide us through it,” he said. “Your jobs are not easy and it doesn't help that we're living at the end of traditional media.”
“In closing, I would really like to take a moment to recognize all the print journalists in this room,” Jost said. “Your words speak truth to power. Your words bring light to the darkness and most importantly, your words train the AI programs that will soon replace you.”
Jost also praised Biden, calling him a "decent man."