SNL cold open mocks Trump’s trials and legal team after a week of defence setbacks

Former president Donald Trump’s legal defence team was mocked in a Saturday Night Live skit that premiered over the weekend after he appeared in court as part of his defamation trial against E Jean Caroll.

Ms Carroll, a journalist who previously successfully sued the former president in 2019 claiming he raped her and then lied about it, is seeking further damages in the case, which the jury will determine at the end of the ongoing trial.

The former president is being represented by Alina Habba in the case, who is played by actress Chloe Fineman in the skit that appeared on TV on Saturday.

“Hello! I’m Alina Habba,” Fineman says in front of the Manhattan Courthouse set. “I’m the attorney for President Trump in the second defamation trial of E Jean Carroll.”

In a joke seemingly mocking Ms Habba’s experience level, the actress says, “I want to make this perfectly clear. I am new at this, and I am learning.” Fineman continues to say how the judge in the case, Lewis A Kaplan, has been “unfair from the beginning” toward her client.

This week, Ms Habba was scolded by the judge and received criticism of her cross-examination of Ms Carroll, resulting in a sidebar and and sustained objections.

“Now, the president may or may not stop for brief remarks but due to a strict gag order, he will not be commenting on anything pertaining to this case. Mr Carroll of the judge.”

Mr Trump was previously fined $10,000 for breaking a gag order in a separate civil trial where the Trump Organization is accused of fraud.

“Thank you Alina. You’re great on TV” James Austin Johnson, who plays the former president said, before poking fun at his legal team. “Maybe the worst lawyer I’ve ever had, which is quite an accomplishment.

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