Elon Musk Declares War On "Unfunny" 'SNL'

Elon Musk's hosting of ‘SNL’ was already a topic of debate due to his unconventional style and humor. Fineman, who became a permanent cast member in 2021, shared her side of the story after Musk criticized the show on his social media platform, X. In a now-deleted video, she expressed her dismay, stating, "And I'm like, you know what, I'm gonna come out and say, at long last, that I'm the cast member that he made cry."

The tension between Musk and the ‘SNL’ cast was palpable. Fineman recounted the moment Musk dismissed her efforts, saying, "I waited for you to be like, ‘Ha-ha [just kidding].' No! Then you started pawing through my script, like flipping each page being like, ‘I didn’t laugh - I didn't laugh once. Not one time.'" Despite the harsh critique, the sketch eventually made it to air, and Fineman acknowledged that she found Musk's performance amusing.

The drama didn't end with Fineman's revelations. Veteran ‘SNL’ star Dana Carvey impersonated Musk in a cold open, which didn't sit well with the tech mogul. Musk took to X, commenting, "Dana Carvey just sounds like Dana Carvey," further fueling the ongoing public discourse about his appearance on the show.

Musk's critique of ‘SNL’ as "dying slowly" due to being "out of touch with reality" has sparked a broader conversation about the show's direction. Fineman's emotional account adds another layer to this debate, highlighting the impact of host behavior on the cast. Fellow cast member Bowen Yang also hinted at Musk's conduct during a 'Watch What Happens Live!' appearance, noting, "This man who - this person, this host, made multiple cast members cry."

As the story unfolds, representatives for both Fineman and Musk have yet to comment on the situation. The revelations have ignited discussions about the dynamics between hosts and cast members on ‘SNL,’ as well as the show's ability to adapt and remain relevant in an ever-changing entertainment landscape.

In recent years, Elon Musk has become embroiled in a series of high-profile confrontations with the media, with tensions escalating as he frequently takes issue with journalistic coverage of his businesses, public persona, and personal life. Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures, has often voiced his discontent on social media, particularly on Twitter (now X), where his interactions with journalists, media outlets, and reporters have sparked controversy and intense debate.

One of the earliest and most significant public clashes between Musk and the media occurred in 2018 during the Thai cave rescue operation. A diver, Vernon Unsworth, who was part of the team involved in rescuing a group of boys trapped in a cave, criticized Musk’s efforts to design a mini-submarine for the mission, calling it a “PR stunt.” In response, Musk accused Unsworth of being a "pedo guy" in a tweet, a baseless and defamatory accusation. The tweet was widely condemned as both inappropriate and unfounded, and Unsworth filed a defamation lawsuit against Musk.

In 2019, a U.S. federal court ruled in Musk's favor, concluding that his statements did not meet the legal standard for defamation. However, the incident severely damaged Musk's relationship with the media, especially as it was amplified by his own social media behavior.

In a 2021 interview, Musk referred to media outlets as "the enemy of the people"—a phrase that echoes similar rhetoric from other public figures who have had contentious relationships with the press. He’s also regularly used Twitter/X to call out journalists, accusing them of bias or dishonesty. In some cases, Musk has engaged in personal back-and-forths with reporters, turning minor incidents or stories into full-scale public feuds. His combative tone has polarized public opinion, with some applauding his willingness to push back against perceived media bias, while others argue that it reflects a troubling disregard for responsible journalism.

As the 'SNL' cast sarcastically showered praise on Trump — joking that they were hoping to remain on his good side — Carvey popped up wearing a dark MAGA hat and Musk’s all-black wardrobe. “Check it out: dark MAGA. Yeah! But seriously, I run the country now,” Carvey said in a faux South African accent. “America’s going to be like one of my rockets. They’re super cool and super fun, but there’s a slight chance it could blow up and everybody dies. Haha!”

He then hit out at Vice President Kamala Harris’ cameo on the show just days before the election. “Their last-ditch effort to cheat the equal airtime requirements and prop up Kamala before the election only helped sink her campaign further,” Musk added. Musk's ongoing battles with the media reflect his broader philosophy of challenging authority and resisting conventional norms. While some admire his unfiltered approach and his willingness to fight back against what he perceives as media bias, others believe his actions have dangerous implications for both the media landscape and the quality of public discourse. As Musk's influence over technology, business, and media continues to grow, his relationship with the press will likely remain one of the most closely watched aspects of his public life.