“Saturday Night Live” (SNL) returned with its traditional cold open, featuring a comedic portrayal of Donald Trump, played by James Austin Johnson. In this segment, Trump was seen alongside Vice President JD Vance and his cabinet discussing recent controversial actions, amplifying themes of presidential authoritarianism.
SNL Cold Open Highlights Trump’s Actions
The skit reflected on several real-world events that have occurred since the holiday season, including:
- The ICE operation in Minneapolis
- The capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro
- Threats regarding Greenland
During the skit, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, portrayed by Ashley Padilla, commented on the chaos in Minneapolis, stating, “Obviously there’s been clashes on both sides.” Her remarks drew laughter as she jokingly declared the administration had been perfect.
ICE Recruitment Jokes
The sketch humorously addressed the public’s curiosity about joining ICE through a series of absurd criteria laid out by Trump. Potential recruits were quizzed on their physical appearance and lifestyle choices.
Cabinet Members’ Comedic Shenanigans
In another humorous moment, Colin Jost returned as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, attempting to impress Trump with exaggerated bravado. The scene took a comedic turn when Hegseth awkwardly handled a kettlebell, prompting Trump to call out his technique.
SNL’s writing cleverly intertwined real-life occurrences with satirical elements, highlighting Trump’s tendency to divert attention during serious discussions. For instance, while Vance spoke, Trump wandered to a window to admire birds outside, mirroring a similar event during a meeting with oil executives.
Language and Military Insights
Marcello Hernandez reprised his role as Secretary of State Marco Rubio. However, Rubio’s choice to address Cuba in Spanish led to Trump’s visible irritation, humorously suggesting he preferred English to ensure clarity in the discussion.
The skit concluded with Trump exclaiming, “midterms are canceled,” a nod to real-life comments where he suggested such drastic measures, which were later clarified as jokes by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Through this comedic take, SNL effectively highlighted the often absurd nature of contemporary politics, leaving audiences both entertained and reflective on the state of the nation.
