Trump's Middle East 'bromance' and Qatar jet controversy lampooned on SNL finale

"Saturday Night Live" lampooned President Donald Trump’s recent Middle East trip in its season finale, trivializing what the administration billed as a major foreign policy reset.

The cold open featured James Austin Johnson as an exaggerated Trump alongside a fictionalized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The sketch suggested an unlikely bromance.

"We’re together now, kidding, of course, but we are vibing," Johnson’s Trump quipped, as though describing a new romance.

"I, of course, am a big fan of everything that Saudi Arabia has to offer, from the oil to the money. To – end of list," he added.

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In reality, Trump returned to Washington touting three major investment deals worth billions of dollars from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, commitments he said would bolster the U.S. economy. 

SNL’s Trump implied his motives were not so patriotic. 

"I didn’t make this trip for myself. I want to make that clear. I did this for the American people. And, in many ways, myself, my personal enrichment. I did that too. I did very well on this trip," he bragged. 

The show also capitalized on the controversy over a gifted $400 million jet from Qatar to the United States, a matter now under House Democrats’ scrutiny.

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"The Qataris gave me a $400 million plane. Can you believe that? And people said that was some sort of bribe," the fake president deadpanned. "Not true, not true, because they haven’t asked for anything in return. Well, not yet. Alright, so it’s a pre-bribe."

The real Trump defended accepting the jet in an interview Friday with Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier, calling it "a good deal" and noting delays in Boeing’s new Air Force One project.

SNL then mocked Boeing’s recent safety scares and the country’s aging air-traffic-control system. Johnson’s Trump complained that he preferred the Qatari jet over an American plane.

"Have you seen what’s happening with our planes? The radar is down and the screen is blank -- Newark," he said, referring to to at least three equipment outages at Newark Liberty International in recent weeks. 

A second segment in the episode, led by host Scarlett Johansson and musical guest Bad Bunny, also made light of Newark's radar failures, turning the issue into a comedic rap about a nerve-wracking landing and pilots being cut off from the control tower.

The opening Trump sketch wound down with the show’s typical jabs at the president and his continued daily media presence. 

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"Since it's a finale, that means after tonight, you won't be seeing me here for a while. Well, not the fake, fun version of me that makes you smile. The real one will still be omnipresent. You can't escape me, right? I'm everywhere."

Before signing off for its summer hiatus, the fictionalized version of Trump quipped, "See you again in the fall, if we still have a country."

'You saved my life:' Freed hostage Edan Alexander thanks Trump in emotional phone call

In an emotional and widely shared moment, President Donald J. Trump spoke directly with Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old American-Israeli soldier who was recently freed from Hamas captivity, during a phone call captured on camera and released by the White House.

"Mr. President," Alexander greeted Trump at the start of the call, visibly moved. "You’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life."

The phone conversation, which took place while Alexander was recovering at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, came just days after his dramatic release from Gaza, where he was held hostage for over 580 days following his abduction by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.

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President Trump greeted Edan with a bit of humor and humility, saying "I'm very nervous talking to you, Edan, because you're a much bigger celebrity than I am."

Trump also expressed American solidarity and the administration’s commitment to bringing all hostages home while on the call.

"You’re an American, and we love you," Trump told Alexander. "We’re going to take good care of you. And your parents are incredible. I saw your mother. She was pushing me around a little bit—putting a lot of pressure on me."

"Like a good mom!" exclaimed Edan's mother in the background.

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The heartfelt exchange was posted online by the official White House account and has quickly gone viral, drawing praise from across the political spectrum for its display of humanity and international unity.

Alexander’s release came amid intensified U.S. diplomatic pressure and quiet negotiations, coordinated in part by senior envoys Steve Witkoff and Adam Boehler. 

Trump had previously signaled his determination to secure the freedom of American citizens held abroad and made Alexander’s case a top priority.

The Alexander family issued a statement thanking President Trump directly, along with the negotiation team and the Israeli Defense Forces, calling the outcome "a miracle rooted in strength, diplomacy, and prayer."

Edan Alexander’s homecoming has reignited calls to bring home the remaining hostages still held in Gaza. 

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A coalition of 65 former hostages recently signed a letter urging both President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "build on this breakthrough" and intensify efforts for a comprehensive agreement to ensure every hostage’s safe return.

Prime Minister Netanyahu acknowledged the success of this combined effort, stating, "This was achieved thanks to our military pressure and the diplomatic pressure applied by President Trump. This is a winning combination."

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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