SNL Returns with a Scathing Satire of Trump’s Administration
Saturday Night Live kicked off its return with a cold open that didn’t hold back, once again featuring James Austin Johnson’s spot-on impersonation of Donald Trump. This time, Trump was boasting about his administration’s latest moves, highlighting a concerning trend towards presidential authoritarianism, alongside Vice President JD Vance and his cabinet.
The skit, typical of SNL‘s style, depicted Trump at a White House lectern addressing the nation. The show cleverly incorporated recent events – the ICE occupation of Minneapolis, the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, and even threats to Greenland – into its satirical narrative.
A particularly pointed moment came when Ashley Padilla, as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, stated, “Obviously there’s been clashes on both sides in Minneapolis. And have we been perfect? Yes.” This line perfectly encapsulates the administration’s often-controversial justifications for its actions.
Colin Jost Steals the Show as Secretary of Defense
The highlight for many viewers was the return of Colin Jost as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Jost delivered a hilarious performance, attempting to impress Trump with exaggerated “tough guy” posturing. The scene reached peak absurdity when Hegseth attempted a kettlebell exercise, awkwardly lurching it between his legs.
“That was great buddy, even I know you’re doing that wrong,” quipped Johnson’s Trump, adding another layer of comedic brilliance to the sketch. Jost’s portrayal perfectly captured the often-performative nature of political posturing.
You can watch the skit here: Watch on Deadline
Real-Life Moments Fueling the Satire
As is often the case with SNL, the skit drew heavily from real-life Trump moments. The show poked fun at Trump’s penchant for boasting, including his claim to savoring “someone else’s Nobel Prize.” Another moment mirrored Trump’s tendency to wander off during meetings, as he fixated on a cardinal and blue jay outside a White House window – a reference to his fascination with a construction site during a meeting with oil executives.
Marcello Hernandez returned as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, delivering remarks in Spanish to “the people of Cuba,” a potential U.S. military target. This prompted an irritated Trump to complain, “No, no, no not in here big guy. I didn’t like that at all. You’re driving in the wrong direction, honey.”
A Disturbing Reflection of Reality
The skit concluded with Trump abruptly declaring “midterms are canceled,” a reference to his previous suggestion to Reuters. The line blurred the lines between satire and reality, highlighting the increasingly difficult task of distinguishing between the two in the current political climate. As Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed, it was “a joke,” but in the context of Trump’s presidency, the distinction is becoming increasingly unclear.
This SNL cold open serves as a powerful reminder of the show’s ability to hold a mirror up to society, offering both laughter and a sobering commentary on the state of American politics. The return of Colin Jost as Hegseth was a particular highlight, adding a much-needed dose of humor to a serious subject matter.
Image: President Trump holds a cabinet meeting at the White House pic.twitter.com/NftqgOcYpi
