Conservative audiences took to social media in outrage following a satirical opening on “Saturday Night Live” that lampooned former President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The sketch focused on the contentious topics of surging gas prices and the growing tensions with Iran.

The NBC show kicked off with a scene depicting a family of four at a gas station, visibly distressed by the escalating cost of fuel as they stood beside their car.

James Austin Johnson, known for his portrayal of Trump, entered the scene to address viewers with his trademark impersonation.

“Hi, it’s me, Donald Trump,” Johnson began, referencing his previous campaign promises. “You might remember me from promises like lowering gas prices and ending wars.”

After a brief pause, he quipped, “Psych! We love making promises, because a promise is just a lie that hasn’t happened yet. But now it has — and gas costs like a million, billion dollars a gallon.”

The skit continued with Johnson’s Trump humorously commenting on the struggles facing the stock market, drawing laughter from the audience.

‘The stock market is going in one direction: down,’ he said.

He then blamed rising fuel costs on the war with Iran, delivering a deliberately confused explanation.

Saturday Night Live sparked backlash after its March 14 cold open mocked President Donald Trump over rising gas prices and the escalating conflict with Iran

The segment began with a family struggling to fill their car at a gas station before Johnson’s Trump stepped in to address the audience directly

‘Gas prices are very high because of war with Iran, which is where they make gas,’ he said. ‘I wish someone had told me that.’

The sketch also referenced recent comments from actor Timothée Chalamet, who sparked debate after saying that ‘no one cares about’ ballet or opera anymore during a discussion about the future of movie theaters.

‘We will win this war because Iran is old and nobody likes them,’ Johnson’s Trump said. ‘Iran is like ballet and opera, and we’re Timmy Chalamet.’

At that point, the audience was heard groaning at the failed joke.

One person wrote online: ‘Omg the SNL audience literally groaned at this joke about Timothée Chalamet’s opera/ballet comments during the cold open.’ 

Another said: ‘The audience was silent. Just so bad.’ 

Later in the segment, Colin Jost appeared as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, climbing out of the backseat of the family’s car while a pile of empty beer cans spilled out behind him.

‘If you’re wondering why I was in the back seat of this random family’s car,’ Jost said, ‘I’ll tell you the same thing I say when people ask about our plans for Iran: I don’t know.’

Jost’s Hegseth then launched into a rambling press briefing-style rant blaming the media for portraying him negatively.

‘The real problem is all you gaybees in the media are completely unpatriotic,’ he said.

‘They’re using what I do and say to make me look like a fool.’

US President Donald Trump attends an event to honor ‘Angel Families’ who have lost family members to crimes committed by people in the country illegally, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 23

Colin Jost also appeared in the sketch as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, climbing out of the backseat of the family’s car as beer cans spilled onto the ground

At one point, the character joked about reports of military strikes, saying he would simply blame them on Iran’s leadership – or alcohol.

‘The press says we bombed a school. I just blame it on the ayatollah,’ he said. ‘And also on the alcohol.’

He later joked about the heavily trafficked Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route in the Persian Gulf, suggesting tanker captains should simply ‘close your eyes and gun it’ if they encounter floating mines.

The sketch quickly sparked backlash online, particularly among conservative viewers who accused the long-running comedy show of political bias.

‘It’s SNL… biased comedy since 1975. The real propaganda is pretending any late-night show is neutral. Choose your poison wisely,’ one user wrote on X.

Another viewer argued the show ignored similar issues during the Biden administration.

‘SNL had all of material they needed during the Biden administration, but failed to deliver because of their woke ideology! I have no time for them and will never watch it again!’

Others mocked the sketch for what they described as a lack of humor.

‘SNL hasn’t been funny for 30 years,’ one commenter wrote.

Chevron Station in Menlo Park, California has gas for over $7 a gallon on Friday, March 13 2026

James Austin Johnson reprised his role as Trump in the sketch, joking that gas now costs ‘a million, billion dollars a gallon’ and blaming the spike on the war with Iran

The politically charged cold open quickly sparked backlash online, with conservative viewers accusing the long-running comedy show of bias

Another simply asked: ‘Where’s the funny?’

Several critics also focused on the gas price jokes, arguing the show was selectively targeting Trump.

‘Notice they didn’t mention gas prices at all during Biden. They all live in NYC and don’t drive anyway,’ one user wrote.

Another added: ‘It’s been five bucks a gallon in California for years.’

Some viewers also questioned the sketch’s portrayal of the geopolitical conflict.

‘Not a single word about Israel which is the main reason why are we in this war,’ another critic wrote.

Others defended Trump and criticized the show’s political focus.

‘They can criticize Trump all they want but the man’s taking out dictators like he tipped after,’ one user wrote.

The episode was hosted by Harry Styles, who also served as the musical guest. It marked the first time the Grammy-winning singer had performed double duty on the show since 2019.

The Iran conflict has been a recurring theme in SNL cold opens in recent weeks. 

The February 28 episode aired the same day the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, prompting the show’s Trump character to joke that the attacks were intended to cause ‘immeasurable fear, rage and chaos in the SNL writer’s room.’

Last week, Jost’s Hegseth also appeared in a sketch where he joked the U.S. was treating Iran ‘like the breathalyzer in my car and blowing it the hell up.’

Gas prices have risen in recent weeks amid tensions in the Middle East. According to AAA, the national average reached about $3.60 per gallon on Friday, up from $3.25 a week earlier.

Meanwhile, FCC chairman Brendan Carr recently warned broadcasters they should ‘course correct’ their coverage of the conflict before their licenses come up for renewal – comments widely interpreted as criticism of television networks and late-night political satire.