The latest episode of Saturday Night Live‘s Weekend Update featured sharp commentary on former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose recent campaign for mayor ended in defeat. Cuomo lost to Zohran Mamdani in the June Democratic primary and again in the general election held earlier this week. He had received endorsements from both scandal-embroiled incumbent mayor Eric Adams and former President Donald Trump.
Co-anchor Colin Jost opened the segment with a biting joke about Cuomo’s lost campaign. “That’s like bringing a girl home and saying, ‘Not to brag, but I have Hepatitis B and C,’” Jost quipped. The commentary continued as fellow co-anchor Michael Che criticized Cuomo for his choice of vehicle during the final days of the campaign—a white Ford Bronco. This particular model carries significant cultural connotations due to its association with former football star O.J. Simpson. “At least O.J. was ahead in the race for a while,” Che joked, eliciting laughter from the audience.
The segment also touched on a serious incident involving Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, who reported being groped during a public event this week. Jost remarked on Sheinbaum’s decision to press charges, adding humorously, “So no, he’s not taking the loss well,” while displaying a photo of Cuomo on screen. Cuomo resigned from his position as governor in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment from eleven women.
RFK Jr. and Trump’s Reactions Highlighted
Another focal point of the Weekend Update was the recent medical emergency during an Oval Office press conference. When a pharmaceutical executive fainted, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. quickly exited the room. Jost commented on this unexpected reaction, saying, “How suspicious is that? Such a weird move.” He reassured viewers, “Don’t worry, though; the man who collapsed is okay. You can tell because if there’s something dead on the ground, RFK eats it.”
In contrast, Donald Trump remained motionless during the incident. Jost likened Trump’s demeanor to the widely-shared meme of a cartoon dog sitting in a room engulfed in flames, stating, “This is fine.”
The episode demonstrated SNL’s continued tradition of using comedy to comment on current events, particularly the political landscape. With sharp wit, the show’s hosts provided both entertainment and critique, reflecting the public’s ongoing fascination with the intertwined lives of political figures.
