SNL Sparks Outrage with Crude 'Pull Out Game' Joke Targeting Elon Musk

Saturday Night Live has never shied away from pushing the envelope, but its latest jab at Elon Musk during the “Weekend Update” segment has ignited a wave of backlash, with critics calling the joke not only distasteful but deeply personal. The NBC sketch show, already criticized in recent years for declining humor quality and hyper-political messaging, went straight for Musk’s personal life—this time not for his business ventures or political entanglements, but for his reproductive history.

The firestorm began when comedian Michael Che made a pointed joke about Musk’s decision to step away from his role with the Trump administration's newly minted Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE. In delivering the punchline, Che smirked and said: “Elon Musk announced that he will step back from his role with DOGE. But as always, Elon pulled out a little too late.”

The crowd reaction was mixed—some chuckles, some audible discomfort, and from viewers at home, a flood of angry responses.

The joke, of course, was a crude reference to the "pull out" method of contraception, a not-so-subtle jab at Musk’s widely publicized status as a father of 14 children with four different women. While Musk has often leaned into jokes about population collapse and the need to have more children, critics saw this attack as not just lazy, but mean-spirited.

It wasn’t a satirical take on public policy or corporate ethics—it was a snide shot at someone’s parenting choices, and more disturbingly, an attempt to mine laughs from a man’s reproductive history. 

The segment quickly went viral on social media, where longtime fans of SNL and Musk alike weighed in. One viewer posted: “Even Weekend Update is bad this week. Sad.” Another wrote: “SNL is so f****** hyper-liberal!!! Bring back the good old days with the original cast!” For many, this wasn't just a misfire—it was a clear sign that the show is becoming more focused on ideological takedowns than comedy.

And the criticism wasn’t just from fans of Musk or conservatives. Plenty of neutral viewers and comedy lovers expressed frustration over what they saw as uninspired, punch-down humor. One commenter wrote, “At the very least, SNL could buy a new laugh track,” while another added, “New writer for these guys? The jokes were so bad, they were laughing at each other’s bombs.”

Some said the segment was more uncomfortable than funny, likening it to an awkward roast at a funeral. This isn’t the first time SNL has gone after Elon Musk, and it certainly won’t be the last.

But this particular sketch struck a nerve, because it veered away from policy or satire and straight into mockery of someone’s neurodivergence and family life. Critics argued that targeting Musk’s role as a father, especially through a sex joke, crosses a line—one that comedy shouldn’t tread without purpose or wit.

The "Weekend Update" segment wasn’t even the only moment Musk was mocked during the episode. SNL also used another sketch to poke fun at former NFL coach Bill Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend, referencing their 48-year age gap in a skit involving Donald Trump and Stephen Miller. The joke?

Trump signs an executive order making it socially acceptable for men in their 70s to date women in their 20s, calling it “The Belichick Law.” It was another attempt to blend celebrity scandal with political satire, but the audience reaction was lukewarm at best. Later in the show, viewers were treated to yet another Musk parody—this time a cold open featuring a fictional version of Musk, played by Mike Myers, who interrupted a Trump rally wearing a cheese hat.

The performance mocked Musk’s behavior at his real-life rally in Wisconsin and portrayed him as erratic, robotic, and socially awkward. “Say cheese! Hahahaha, kidding, kidding,” Myers declared, throwing the hat aside in what was supposed to be a punchline, followed by an imitation of Musk “glitching” like a broken android.

For many, it was a tired portrayal that leaned on old stereotypes about Musk’s mannerisms and his openness about being on the autism spectrum.

Even more biting was the line about Tesla’s recent troubles. “Yes, recently our dealerships have been the target of many attacks and suddenly, no one likes Tesla cars. So, I ask myself why and then I answered myself—‘cause of me,” Myers said as Musk, dancing awkwardly to punctuate the absurdity.

The sketch ended with the announcement of the new “Tesla Model V”—a fictional vehicle that is “self-vandalizing,” complete with smashed headlights, slashed tires, and “AI-powered graffiti” capable of projecting a penis or a swastika. The image was so over-the-top that it drew gasps more than laughter, and for some viewers, it felt like a direct attack on Musk’s identity and the symbolism around Tesla’s controversial brand.

Perhaps most egregious, critics noted, was the show’s repeated implication that Musk’s eccentric behavior is a consequence of his Asperger’s diagnosis—a fact he revealed himself during a 2021 SNL hosting appearance. One viewer wrote: “Making fun of high functioning Asperger’s is so typical of the mentally ill left.”

The sentiment resonated with many who felt that the recurring “glitch” gags and robotic impersonations amounted to punching down on someone for their neurodivergence—a move many believe SNL wouldn’t dare attempt with other public figures.

This latest episode of SNL has left a bitter taste, not just for Musk supporters, but for many who used to believe in the show’s balance between satire and substance. The line between comedy and cruelty has always been a fine one, but for some, this episode stomped all over it. Instead of smartly critiquing Musk’s policies or business decisions, the show chose to aim at his family, his social skills, and his medical diagnosis.

That isn’t satire—it’s mockery, and mockery without cleverness is just bullying with a punchline. It’s hard to say whether the backlash will have any lasting effect. SNL has weathered scandals and controversial sketches before. But what’s clear is that the show’s approach to humor is increasingly out of step with a large segment of its audience.

At a time when comedy is needed to cut through political nonsense and corporate absurdity, many expected SNL to rise to the challenge—not to stoop to groin-level jokes about a man’s fertility.

In the end, the real problem isn’t that SNL made a sex joke about Elon Musk. It’s that it did so in a way that felt lazy, mean, and devoid of comedic innovation. Musk is a complicated figure—equal parts visionary and provocateur, hero to some and villain to others.

There are countless ways to critique him with intelligence and humor. But when the best a once-iconic show can do is reference the “pull out method” and laugh at someone for having children, the joke isn’t just bad—it’s on them.