Mike Myers Reveals Why He Dared to Mock Elon Musk on SNL Without Fear of Retaliation

Mike Myers, the iconic Canadian comedian best known for his roles in Wayne's World, Austin Powers, and Shrek, recently made waves in a surprising way. In March 2025, during an appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Myers took a bold and political stand by mocking Elon Musk, not in the typical fashion, but with an emotional and heartfelt message about his love for Canada.

Despite being an American citizen, Myers made a clear statement: his allegiance to his home country was stronger than ever, and he was not afraid to stand up for it.

The act in question occurred during the closing credits of an SNL sketch where Myers played Musk in a chainsaw-wielding parody. What started as a comedic skit quickly morphed into a deeply personal political statement. As Myers stood on stage, his thoughts began to spiral—he remembered Musk's infamous comment that Canada was "not a real country," a remark that stung deeply for many Canadians.

Then, the memories flooded in: U.S. President Trump's derogatory remarks about Canada, calling the former Canadian Prime Minister “Governor Trudeau” and referring to Canada as “the 51st state.” Myers recalled the insults, tariffs, and the graffiti he'd seen in Winnipeg reading, “There’s no greater pain than being betrayed by a friend.”

That’s when the gloves came off. He boldly opened his down vest and revealed a “Canada Is Not for Sale” T-shirt, flashing the message for millions of viewers across the globe. “Elbows up,” he mouthed to the camera twice, a reference to legendary Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe’s defiant response to aggression on the ice.

Myers was not simply acting out of anger; the gesture was symbolic of his deep commitment to Canada. He explained that it wasn’t about him personally—this was a statement of solidarity with his home country.

His impromptu act of defiance wasn’t designed to shock audiences as much as it was a raw, unfiltered expression of frustration with the treatment of his homeland. "It was about my country," Myers said in a later interview. "I wanted to send a message home to say that I’m with you, you know."

While many actors and comedians have used their platforms for political commentary, Myers’ moment on SNL was particularly striking. Known for his mild-mannered, playful public persona, Myers’ willingness to stand up in such a manner left an indelible mark.

He described how it wasn’t just the remark by Musk but a culmination of many factors that had led to this moment of raw emotion. The challenges that Canada had faced—whether from trade disputes, the increasing influence of U.S. politics on Canadian affairs, or the sense of betrayal that Myers felt—finally broke through during that broadcast.

“I got angrier and angrier,” Myers confessed about the thought process that led to the impromptu stunt. His decision to act was rooted in an emotional outburst, driven by a sense of love for his country and the deep frustration he felt at being caught in the crossfire of larger political battles.

As someone who has spent much of his adult life in the United States, Myers found it particularly painful to witness how U.S. politics were undermining Canadian values and sovereignty.

Inspired by the positive reception of his SNL moment, Myers didn’t stop at a single gesture. He consulted with his brothers, both politically astute Canadians, to escalate his political involvement. The result was a television ad for Canada’s Liberal Party, featuring Prime Minister Mark Carney and Myers, who sported a “Never 51” jersey.

The ad was filmed on a hockey rink—a setting that further cemented the deeply Canadian nature of the message.

The ad was not just a lighthearted political endorsement but also a reaffirmation of Myers' commitment to his Canadian roots. "I know I don’t live there anymore, and let’s talk about that," Myers said of his involvement. The ad also included a tongue-in-cheek moment where Myers, quizzed by Carney, successfully identified that Toronto only had "two seasons: winter and construction."

In this ad, Myers portrayed himself as an ambassador of Canadian identity, standing firmly against the notion that Canada should be subsumed into U.S. political rhetoric. The ad served as a strong, visual statement, calling for the protection of Canadian sovereignty in an increasingly tense political climate.

A central theme in Myers’ remarks about Musk and his political actions was the apparent clash of values between Musk’s approach and those typically associated with Canadian governance. Myers, who spent years in the U.S. and became an American citizen, made it clear that he believed in the importance of good government, a belief that he felt was at odds with Musk’s approach.

“To the extent that Elon Musk is involved in our democratic government, it goes against how I feel as a Canadian,” Myers remarked. The underlying message was that while Canada has long prided itself on being a nation of stability, trust in government, and a commitment to public good, figures like Musk represented a more disruptive, almost nihilistic approach that Myers found deeply troubling.

In his eyes, Musk’s slash-and-burn approach to business and politics stood in direct contradiction to the values he held dear.

Myers, through his comedy and public commentary, used satire to challenge Musk's influence. He expressed the belief that satire could be an essential weapon in the fight against the rise of authoritarian ideologies. “Fascism doesn’t like to be ridiculed; it likes to be feared,” he said. “Satire is an important tool in the toolbox to say that this is not normal.”

While Myers’ defiant stance was aimed squarely at figures like Musk, he did not reserve his criticism solely for U.S. politicians. He also reflected on the role of fellow Canadian expatriates, including hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.

While Myers expressed no ill will toward Gretzky, he did note how some Canadians had distanced themselves from the hockey superstar due to his embrace of  President Trump’s MAGA movement.

In a playful gesture, Myers invoked the childhood game “Red Rover” and extended an olive branch to Gretzky, humorously inviting him to join his side in defending Canadian values. "Red Rover, Red Rover, we call Wayne over," Myers joked, emphasizing that he would welcome Gretzky back into the fold of Canadian pride and unity.

In his memoir Canada, Myers writes about the struggle his home country has long faced in defining its purpose on the world stage. Over the years, Canadians have often asked not "Who are we?" but "Why are we?" But Myers now believes that Canada has found its answer.

“As the great Canadian poet Joni Mitchell said, ‘You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone,’” Myers reflected. The potential erosion of Canadian sovereignty and the threats posed by foreign political ideologies have, according to Myers, raised the collective consciousness of how precious and unique Canada truly is.

In the end, Myers’ decision to mock Elon Musk and other political figures was more than just a matter of personal defiance—it was a declaration of loyalty to his country, a call to arms for Canadians to defend their identity, values, and governance in the face of increasing external pressures.

As Myers so poignantly put it, “I’m with you, you know.”