SNL star Colin Jost roasts politicians, praises journalists at correspondents’ dinner

Saturday Night Live (SNL) star Colin Jost blamed politicians and praised journalists at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday night, bringing humor to a time of political tension at home and deadly conflicts abroad.

Jost, 41, began his speech Saturday night with a slight swipe at both President Biden and former President Trump, their parties’ front-runners looking to win in November.

After the screen showed clips of Jost’s work when he himself was a young reporter in high school, the comedian took the opportunity to mock Biden because of his age.

“You can’t do that to President Biden because the technology wasn’t invented when he was in high school,” Jost joked. “It’s not really fair.”

The SNL comedian also turned his attention to Trump, who is currently busy in his first criminal trial in New York where he faces 34 felony charges.

“Good evening everyone, I’m Colin Jost and I’ll be presenting the Republican response,” he joked. “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t have as much time as I need to get back to New York because I’m juror number five in a big trial. Trump’s lawyer looked at me and looked like he should be on our side.”

Jost also took shots at Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), including mocking the former Allegations that Congressman He had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

“We’re all here tonight at the nerd party,” Jost said. “Well, Matt Gaetz is at a regular concert, but I actually thought I saw Matt Gaetz here tonight but actually it was just my reflection in the spoon.

News networks were also off limits during Jost’s performance.

“Fox News is here tonight. “It’s the end of an era when Rupert Murdoch stepped down from Fox News, which is weird,” Jost said, laughing briefly. “I didn’t think there was a step down from Fox News.”

While joking about The New York Times, Jost criticized Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for appearing to freeze twice during press conferences last year.

“Word is here tonight. Sorry, sorry. I meant the New York Times. I forgot they do things besides puzzles,” Jost said. “I have to say it’s not a great sign when the only thing keeping a print media company alive is games.” That people play on their phones…it’s so scary for you guys, the room froze faster than Mitch McConnell.”

Senate Democrats also came under fire during the barbecue.

“Senator Bernie Sanders is here because he’s not the type to pass up a free hot meal,” Jost said.

After a few more swipes at Biden and Trump, he went after independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

“By the way, President Biden, isn’t it crazy that he’s only our second Catholic president, and what’s even crazier is that in just a few months, we’ll have our third president at RFK Jr.,” Jost said. “I’m kidding, it’s like his vaccine card says he doesn’t have a shot.”

After more jokes at the expense of the candidates for the Oval Office, Jost took a few lines in praise of reporters.

“Journalists, these are difficult times and we need the people in this room to help guide us through these times,” he said. “Your jobs aren’t easy, and it doesn’t help that we live at the end of traditional media.”

“In closing, I would really like to take a moment to recognize all the print journalists in this room,” Jost said. “Your words speak truth to power. Your words illuminate the darkness, and most importantly, your words train the artificial intelligence programs that will soon replace you.

Jost also praised Biden as a “decent man.”