Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che didn’t hold back this week, taking aim at President Donald Trump.

In what many are calling one of the most bizarre moves of 2025 so far, former President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the Pope, complete with white robes, golden rings, and a divine glow. The surreal photo, posted to Truth Social, instantly sparked reactions across the political spectrum—and more importantly, laughter.

Enter Colin Jost and Michael Che, hosts of Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update,” who took full advantage of the moment during SNL’s May 3rd broadcast. The duo’s takedown of the viral Trump Pope image delivered one of the sharpest, most memorable moments of the night.

Opening the segment with his usual dry wit, Colin Jost delivered a perfect punchline: “Former President Trump shared an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope, which is honestly the closest he’ll ever get to being infallible.”

The image in question showed a highly stylized Trump posing in papal regalia, looking more like a holy emperor than a spiritual leader. The absurdity of the image didn’t go unnoticed by Jost, who added: “You’ve got to love that even his AI version insists on standing in front of a gold elevator.”

SNL fans were quick to point out that Jost’s delivery mirrored public sentiment online—many users called the image everything from “holy blasphemy” to “AI-generated delusion.”

Michael Che, known for his edgier comedic style, added his own commentary with a twist: “Trump says he’s just trying to remind people he’s blessed. Blessed with lawyers, lawsuits, and now—Photoshop.”

Che also dove into the broader implications of AI in politics: “We’re in a time where AI can make anyone look like a saint. Which means by next week, Joe Biden’s going to be Superman flying over inflation.”

His commentary drew laughs and applause from the live audience, but also raised real questions: where is the line between humor, image manipulation, and misinformation?

Trump’s use of an AI-generated image isn’t entirely out of character. The former president has long embraced flashy visuals and hyperbole to drive engagement and maintain visibility. However, the rise of deepfakes and AI-generated content—especially in political circles—has prompted serious conversations about misinformation and the blurring of reality.

But for now, the absurdity of Trump portraying himself as the Pope proved irresistible for late-night television and internet meme-makers alike.

Clips of the SNL segment have already gone viral, trending across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram within hours of airing.

This isn’t the first time SNL has targeted Trump, and it certainly won’t be the last. From Alec Baldwin’s Emmy-winning impersonations to the ongoing mockery from the Weekend Update desk, SNL has built a legacy of lampooning Trump’s every headline.

But what sets this moment apart is the collision of technology and ego. As AI-generated images become more realistic, and politicians use them as tools for self-promotion or parody, comedians are left with a gold mine of content. “This isn’t political commentary anymore,” Jost joked. “It’s performance art.”

The reaction online has been swift and wildly varied. Some Trump supporters hailed the AI Pope image as “epic,” while critics slammed it as narcissistic and bizarre. Meanwhile, social media exploded with memes, many layering Trump’s face onto other religious or superhero figures—proof that when the internet is handed content this surreal, it knows exactly what to do.

Search interest for terms like “Trump AI Pope image,” “Trump SNL joke,” and “Weekend Update Trump meme” surged over the weekend, with Google Trends showing spikes in related keywords.

As Donald Trump continues to blend politics with pop culture and now technology, satirists like Colin Jost and Michael Che have their work cut out for them. Their response to the AI Pope image struck the perfect tone: biting, hilarious, and weirdly insightful.

In a digital world where AI can turn anyone into a saint—or a supervillain—perhaps laughter is our last honest filter.