The sketch came after the real White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, and officials from the National Security Council this week briefed on some 30 social media creators who covered the Russian invasion on their platforms, a White House official said.
In the “SNL” version of Psaki, played by Kate McKinnon, she said she suggested the meeting as a joke “and that’s when it happened.”
Biden, played by James Austin Johnson, then told the group: “People say this is the first war fought on TikTok, which is difficult for me as I am the presidents’ landline.”
He added: “I understand (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, I understand the war, but there is one thing I don’t understand: the computer.”
“He means technology, but he says computer,” explains McKinnon’s Psaki. He then tells influencers they need fresh ideas on how to win the information war on social media.
First there is the “CW actress” played by Chloe Fineman who says, “While Putin may have tanks and bombs, there is something even more powerful with which we can attack him: poems.”
When Psaki asks for useful suggestions, Fineman says, “Here are five ways to stop the war in Ukraine,” and dances pointing to different places in the air.
Confused, Biden Johnson asks, “What’s going on? Do you see anything? ” McKinnon’s Psaki says, “I think he expects the text to show up.”
They then move on to the prankster TikTok, played by Andrew Dismukes, who suggests pushing Putin down the stairs, and singer Jason Derulo, played by Chris Redd, whose only response is to sing his name.
Johnson’s Biden then points to Aidy Bryant, who plays a 12-year-old girl doing silly animal makeup for kids, and asks what the United States can do to “win this war.”
“Oh, you mean the one your son Hunter Biden started?” Bryant’s young influencer asks.
“You know, you don’t expect an animal make-up girl to be alright,” says Biden Johnson.
After a few more suggestions from other attendees, Bowen Yang appears as “that guy who does some crazy tricks using the toilet plunger stuck to my nipple” and apologizes for being late because security has caused him trouble.
“We were actually supposed to end this meeting because it was clearly a bad idea,” said McKinnon’s Psaki.
“Hey, don’t do that. Don’t just tear the plunger out of the nipple, ”Yang tells her.
“You know, the idea of asking TikTok stars how to fight Russia may sound like a joke, but remember they said the same thing about radio during WWII,” says Yang.
“Never underestimate the importance of a new technology and how it reaches young people in ways you’ll never understand,” he adds as the camera slowly approaches the plunger attached to his body.
“It was really inspiring, young man,” says Biden Johnson. “Oh, I’m 55,” Yang replies, before the group gathers for the traditional: “Live, from New York, it’s Saturday night.”