In an increasingly surreal chapter of American political and cultural life, comedians are reclaiming their traditional role: mocking the powerful. From Bill Burr’s fiery stand-up routines to Saturday Night Live‘s blistering parodies, public figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump are being dragged back to Earth—often with nothing more than a well-aimed punchline.
Elon Musk: Billionaire, Boss, Butt of the Joke
Comedian Bill Burr recently unleashed a scorched-earth set on Elon Musk, torching the tech mogul for his performative machismo, alleged authoritarian tendencies, and obsession with control. Burr mocked Musk’s fashion sense, likening it to someone emerging from a Hot Topic store, and ridiculed his repeated attempts to reshape his image from a socially awkward tech nerd to a swaggering political disruptor.
Burr didn’t stop there—he eviscerated Musk’s perceived disregard for democratic norms, calling out the absurdity of a South African-born billionaire trying to mold the U.S. government to his liking. In Burr’s words, Musk is the kind of guy who’s fine with a dictatorship as long as he’s the one in charge.
Mockery as Resistance
This comedic rebellion has gained traction beyond stand-up stages. Protests targeting Tesla—once a symbol of technological optimism—have increased dramatically. Demonstrators from Maine to Manhattan have used signs, chants, and graffiti to draw attention to what they view as Musk’s growing political influence and alleged fascist sympathies. Protesters have chanted slogans like “Elon Musk is not my president” and “Don’t buy swastika cars,” referencing Musk’s frequent alignment with far-right online rhetoric and conspiracy theories.
Adding fuel to the fire, Musk’s wealth has taken a hit. Tesla’s stock plummeted, shaving $42 billion from his net worth in a single month—a blow that stings more than any viral insult.
Saturday Night Live: The Comeback
Although SNL has long been accused of losing its edge, recent episodes suggest a satirical renaissance. From roasting Trump’s cabinet infighting to skewering Musk’s SpaceX failures, the show has become one of the few mainstream platforms still delivering unfiltered critiques of political absurdity.
In one segment, Trump is parodied while bragging about his presidency’s supposed efficiency—only to be likened to Bin Laden for how quickly he “changed” government. Another sketch mocks Trump’s bizarre claim that $8 million was spent on “transgender mice,” exposing how his administration misunderstood a medical study involving hormone research.
Comedians also called out Trump’s decaying inner circle, with only a handful of former officials willing to endorse him for reelection—most instead having written books condemning him. Even Fox News couldn’t shield Trump from questions about why nearly all his handpicked cabinet members now openly oppose him.
MAGA Meltdowns and the Hypocrisy of “Toughness”
The MAGA movement, which markets itself as the embodiment of rugged individualism, collapses the moment someone mocks its figureheads. Whether it’s a joke about Trump’s age or a jab at Musk’s lack of social charisma, the backlash is instant and furious. Burr notes that these self-styled tough guys “can dish it out, but they can’t take it.”
Former SNL alumni like Jim Breuer, now MAGA-aligned, have fallen from comedic relevance, replacing punchlines with vaccine rants and culture war slogans. One of his recent jokes: “My pronouns are: kiss my—” was cited as an example of how right-wing comedy often abandons humor in favor of grievance.
Fascism, Freedom, and the Fight for Language
One absurd sketch—eerily close to reality—shows Trump renaming Marco Rubio “Mark Ruby” after signing an executive order making English the U.S.’s official language. The move, which strips requirements to provide government services in other languages, was presented as a joke—but it’s based on a real executive order signed by Trump.
SNL’s portrayal of Musk as a glitchy robot further ridicules his perceived emotional detachment and obsession with control. With his robotic dance moves, glassy-eyed stares, and awkward speeches, Musk is presented not as a visionary, but as a 53-year-old “virgin” who’s more comfortable with AI than people.
A Glimpse Into the Absurd
At its best, satire is a mirror held up to power, and this cultural moment reflects just how bizarre things have become. Musk is accused of throwing fascist salutes, retweeting Holocaust revisionism, and trying to buy his way into political influence—all while his flagship companies stumble. Meanwhile, Trump rambles about transgender mice and appoints fall guys like Marco Rubio to clean up the mess.
Despite claims that SNL is too “woke” to be funny, its resurgence in political relevance suggests otherwise. As Burr and others demonstrate, humor remains a potent weapon against authoritarianism, exposing the ridiculousness of those who think they’re untouchable.
In a world where billionaires are miserable, satire might be one of the last honest tools we have left.
