'SNL' Weekend Update inspires gasps for Iran and Epstein jokes

"Really bumming them out there, Jost."
 By 
Anna Iovine
 on 
Man in blue suit stands next to chyron of Kristi Noem
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Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che again didn't hold back this week with jokes about the Trump administration and current affairs.

When talking about fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and her new position as "special envoy to the Shield of the Americas," for instance, Che said it's a brand new department located "at a farm upstate."

Then, in a joke about the lawsuit concerning the betting platform Kalshi not paying out millions over the bet that Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would "leave office" before March 1, Jost said he technically didn't "leave the office," to shocked reactions from the audience.

"Oh, a lot of Ayatollah fans here tonight," Jost replied.

The gasps didn't stop when Jost referenced the new investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's ranch, saying they should've known something was up when Epstein's ranch was "all ponies."

"Really bumming them out there, Jost," Che said. When Jost discussed Women's History Month, saying, "Good job, girlies!" Che once again commented on the awkward reaction, saying, "This is our Emmy's show."

Topics SNL

anna iovine, a white woman with curly chin-length brown hair, smiles at the camera
Anna Iovine
Associate Editor, Features

Anna Iovine is the associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on Bluesky.


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