SNL skewers Trump’s handling of the Puerto Rico recovery

Saturday Night Live returned for its 43rd season, and it picked up right where it left off from its memorable 42nd season – with Alec Baldwin lampooning President Donald Trump.

The cold open from Saturday’s show began with Baldwin mocking Trump’s handling of the response to the recovery efforts in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

The cold open began with Trump returning to the White House after spending the weekend at his country club in New Jersey.

He is welcomed back to the Oval Office by his press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, who is played by Aidy Bryant.

Saturday Night Live returned for its 43rd season, and it picked up right where it left off from its memorable 42nd season – with Alec Baldwin lampooning President Donald Trump. Aidy Bryant is seen above with Baldin playing White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders

The cold open from Saturday¿s show began with Baldwin mocking Trump¿s handling of the response to the recovery efforts in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico

The cold open from Saturday’s show began with Baldwin mocking Trump’s handling of the response to the recovery efforts in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico

Trump then takes a phone call from Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico who is played in the skit by cast member Melissa Villasenor

Trump then takes a phone call from Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico who is played in the skit by cast member Melissa Villasenor

As in real life, Cruz begs Trump for help. Trump responds by reminding Cruz that Puerto Rico is 'an island in the water¿ 

As in real life, Cruz begs Trump for help. Trump responds by reminding Cruz that Puerto Rico is ‘an island in the water’ 

¿I was expecting this phone call,¿ Baldwin¿s Trump says. ¿I¿m sure she wants to tell me what a great job I¿m doing¿

‘I was expecting this phone call,’ Baldwin’s Trump says. ‘I’m sure she wants to tell me what a great job I’m doing’

¿I¿m begging you, Puerto Rico needs your help,¿ Cruz tells Trump. ¿I hear you loud and clear. You called the best person for the job,¿ Trump tells Cruz

‘I’m begging you, Puerto Rico needs your help,’ Cruz tells Trump. ‘I hear you loud and clear. You called the best person for the job,’ Trump tells Cruz

‘Thank you, Sarah,’ Trump tells Sanders. ‘I had to come back.’

‘Sometimes when you’re president you have to make sacrifices so I skipped the back nine.’

Trump then takes a phone call from Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico who is played in the skit by cast member Melissa Villasenor.

The president attacked Cruz on Twitter, saying her ‘poor leadership’ was to blame for the slow recovery on the island.

‘I was expecting this phone call,’ Baldwin’s Trump says. ‘I’m sure she wants to tell me what a great job I’m doing.’

‘I’m begging you, Puerto Rico needs your help,’ Cruz tells Trump.

The skit also mocks Trump for his handling of the controversy over NFL players protesting during the national anthem 

The skit also mocks Trump for his handling of the controversy over NFL players protesting during the national anthem 

¿Well, you handled that NFL thing just great,¿ the president tells Sanders. ¿Oh, well, I¿m a little embarrassed I said it¿s a black and white issue,¿ Sanders said. ¿I should¿ve it¿s a black versus white issue¿

‘Well, you handled that NFL thing just great,’ the president tells Sanders. ‘Oh, well, I’m a little embarrassed I said it’s a black and white issue,’ Sanders said. ‘I should’ve it’s a black versus white issue’

‘I hear you loud and clear. You called the best person for the job,’ Trump tells Cruz.

‘I know things, or as the locals say, despecito.

‘We’re going to get you more help to you. We’ll get it to you immediately, probably by Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.’

When Cruz tells Trump that’s not good enough, the president replies: ‘You should’ve paid your bills.

‘FEMA takes a few days…unless you join FEMA Prime.’

‘What are you talking about?’ the mayor asks Trump.

‘Ma’am, I don’t know if you know this, but you’re in an island in the water,’ Trump tells Cruz.

‘The ocean water, big ocean, with fishies and bubbles and turtles that bite.

‘We want to help you but we want to take care of America first.’

When the mayor reminds Trump that Puerto Rico is a US territory, the president says: ‘I do, but not many people know that, no.’

When Cruz once again pleads for help, Trump hangs up and tells Sanders: ‘That woman was so nasty.’

Trump then compliments Sanders for outlasting a number of former administration officials who have departed their jobs, including Steve Bannon, Sean Spicer, Anthony Scaramucci, and Tom Price.

‘I think it’s because folks listen to me because I’m no-nonsense but I’m all nonsense,’ Sanders said, with Bryant nailing her Southern drawl.

‘Well, you handled that NFL thing just great,’ the president tells Sanders.

‘Oh, well, I’m a little embarrassed I said it’s a black and white issue,’ Sanders said. ‘I should’ve it’s a black versus white issue.’

Trump then professes his love for football, saying: ‘People say I remind them of an NFL player because I’m combative, I like to win, and I might have a degenerative brain disease.’  

The president is then talking about his penchant for ‘creating chaos’ as a deliberate tactic to distract from key issues.

‘It may seem like what’s coming out of my house is B-A-N-A-N-A-N-A-S, but it’s all part of the plan.

‘The more chaos I cause, the less people can focus. They’re all getting so tired.

‘How long ago did I declare war on North Korea and Little Rocket Man?’ Trump asks Sanders.

‘Four months?’ Sanders replies.

‘Wrong. It was last Friday. See, I’m bending time,’ the president says.   

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