SNL Returns with a Hilarious 2026 Cold Open Featuring Trump
Saturday Night Live roared back onto the scene on January 17th, 2026, with a cold open that immediately set the tone for a year of biting political satire. The episode, hosted by Finn Wolfhard and featuring musical guest A$AP Rocky, wasted no time diving into the current (or rather, future) state of affairs, led by a spot-on impersonation of former President Donald Trump by James Austin Johnson.
A ‘Reverse Santa’ and International Intrigue
Johnson’s Trump addressed the nation, catching viewers up on the events that transpired during the show’s hiatus. The sketch didn’t shy away from bold scenarios, including a fictionalized capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “I hope everyone had a nice holiday and got what they wanted for Christmas,” Johnson quipped as Trump. “I got what I wanted: My very own someone else’s Nobel Prize, which I’ll cherish! And in my stocking I got Maduro. Nicolás Maduro! We did a reverse Santa on him. We came down the chimney with a bag and took him away.”
Colin Jost, reprising his role as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, added fuel to the fire, bluntly stating, “We went in, straight up stole their president,” and hinting at future targets, including Iran, with the darkly humorous line, “you don’t dare kill your protesters. That’s our thing!”
Addressing Domestic Tensions with Satire
The cold open also tackled sensitive domestic issues, specifically the tensions in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Ashley Padilla, as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, delivered a particularly sharp performance. She began with a self-deprecating nod to her team, stating, “Before we start, I’d like to give a quick shoutout to my hair and makeup team, who absolutely hate me.” When addressing the clashes in Minneapolis, she offered a disturbingly nonchalant, “have we been perfect? Yes.” Her signature line, playing on her last name, landed with a punch: “Just know, you can always count on me, because my last name is Noem, as in, do I have the situation under control? Noem, I don’t.”
Viral Moments and a Shocking Announcement
The sketch cleverly incorporated recent Trump-related viral moments, including a recreation of the president reading a note from Secretary of State Marco Rubio aloud. The cold open culminated in a truly shocking announcement from Johnson’s Trump: “Also, midterms are canceled!”
Looking Ahead: Upcoming SNL Episodes
Finn Wolfhard’s hosting debut followed a busy end to 2025 for SNL, which included a farewell episode for longtime cast member Bowen Yang, hosted by Ariana Grande with musical guest Cher. The show continues with momentum, boasting three consecutive weeks of new episodes. Next up is Teyana Taylor, hosting with musical guest Geese, riding high on Oscar buzz for her role in “One Battle After Another” and a recent Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. Alexander Skarsgård will then make his hosting debut on January 31st, joined by Cardi B as the musical guest.
SNL continues to prove its relevance as a cultural touchstone, offering a satirical lens through which to view the ever-evolving political landscape. You can find more information about the show and its cast on the official NBC website.
