In a surprising move, former US President Donald Trump has shared a clip from the British version of Saturday Night Live on his Truth Social platform, featuring a sketch that pokes fun at both himself and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The 79-year-old political figure posted the video on Sunday without any additional commentary, drawing attention to the transatlantic comedy segment that aired on Sky One during the debut episode of SNL UK.
Satirical Portrayal of Political Figures
The sketch opens with a shot of 10 Downing Street before transitioning to actor George Fouracres portraying Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, alongside Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, played by Hammed Animashaun. In the scene, Starmer becomes visibly flustered while trying to avoid a phone call from Trump, exclaiming, "Oh golly – what if Donald shouts at me? What do I say, Lammy?" Lammy's response, "Just be yourself, Prime Minister. Yourself is who everyone likes," elicited laughter from the live studio audience.
Humor in International Diplomacy
When the fictional Starmer finally answers the call, a voice impersonating Trump simply says "hello," prompting the Prime Minister to abruptly hang up and remark, "Oh sod that scary, scary, wonderful President. Why is he so bloody difficult to talk to?" Lammy suggests, "Sir, just be honest and tell him we can't send any more ships to the Strait of Hormuz," alluding to ongoing tensions with Iran and the blockade of the oil shipping route. Starmer responds with, "I just hate conflict so much," to which Lammy quips, "Are you referring to the war, or just this phone call?"
Throughout the exchange, filmed in a replica of Starmer's office, the Prime Minister jokes about how former PM Liz Truss made the job seem easy and references Trump branding him a "coward." The sketch also introduces a new "Gen Z" adviser portrayed by Jack Shep, dubbed Starmzy as a nod to rapper Stormzy, who advises Starmer on setting boundaries with Trump. The clip concludes with Starmer declaring, "I'll do anything, except take a stand."
Broader Comedy and Cultural Impact
Trump and Starmer were among the prominent figures lampooned in the programme, which also included impressions of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and Sir Winston Churchill. Additionally, the show mocked Russell T Davies' BAFTA-winning series It's A Sin being adapted into a stage musical, with Davies himself sharing on Instagram that he "laughed a lot" at the jest.
SNL UK Format and Cast
The Sky Original programme mirrors NBC's late-night format with 75-minute episodes featuring an opening monologue, topical sketches, and a British adaptation of The Weekend Update. The US edition, on air since 1975, has launched careers of stars like Tina Fey, who hosted the first SNL UK episode. The cast includes Hammed Animashaun, George Fouracres, Jack Shep, and others, with the show exclusively available on Sky One and the streaming platform NOW.
This incident underscores the growing influence of political satire in global media, blending humor with commentary on international relations and leadership dynamics.
