Saturday Night Live cast member Chloe Fineman recently revealed that billionaire Elon Musk once reduced her to tears during his 2021 hosting gig on the show. In a now-deleted TikTok video, Fineman shared her emotional experience, claiming Musk harshly criticized her comedy. The revelation comes amid Musk’s ongoing cultural clashes, including his recent bold remarks alongside President-elect Donald Trump.
Fineman, known for her impressions and sketches, recounted a stinging critique from Musk. After staying up all night writing a sketch, she approached Musk eagerly, only to be met with what she described as a cold response.
“I was so excited,” Fineman explained. “I came in, I asked if you had any questions, and you stared at me like you were firing me from Tesla. And were like, ‘It’s not funny.’”
Fineman said she waited for Musk to lighten the mood, but instead, he methodically flipped through her script, bluntly stating, “I didn’t laugh.”
Although the sketch ultimately made it to air, Fineman admitted the interaction left her in tears. “Have a little manners here, sir!” she implored in her video, suggesting Musk’s demeanor had been unnecessarily harsh.
She’s not alone in her grievances. Fellow cast member Bowen Yang also alleged Musk’s hosting stint left multiple cast members upset during the week’s preparations.
While Musk’s SNL hosting may have ruffled feathers in Hollywood, his recent remarks at a pre-election rally showcased a very different side of the entrepreneur. Appearing alongside President-elect Donald Trump, Musk addressed critical national issues, taking aim at President Joe Biden’s leadership and highlighting Trump’s resilience.
“We had one president who couldn’t climb a flight of stairs and another who was fist-pumping after getting shot,” Musk quipped, referencing Biden’s infamous tumble on Air Force One’s stairs and Trump’s composure under pressure.
Musk then pivoted to the stakes of the 2024 election. “This is no ordinary election,” he warned. “The other side wants to take away your freedom of speech, your right to bear arms, and your ability to vote effectively.”
The billionaire expressed dismay at the erosion of voter integrity, citing California’s recent decision to ban voter ID requirements. “How are you supposed to have a proper election if there’s no ID? It’s meaningless,” Musk said, his remarks drawing cheers from the crowd.
The contrast between Musk’s approach to comedy on SNL and his political commentary couldn’t be starker. While Hollywood personalities like Fineman lament his blunt critiques, Musk’s focus remains on what he sees as more pressing matters: the fight for free speech, election integrity, and the preservation of American values.
For Musk, humor may be subjective, but defending the nation’s freedoms is no laughing matter. Whether delivering tough feedback to comedians or challenging political norms, Musk continues to be a polarizing figure—and one unafraid to call things as he sees them.
