In a biting cold open, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) returned to the airwaves on January 17, 2026, mockingly addressing various political issues, including the handling of Venezuela by the Trump administration. The episode marked SNL’s first new installment of the year after a hiatus.
SNL Satirizes Trump in Cold Open
James Austin Johnson portrayed former President Donald Trump, presenting a comical address that recapped significant events during the show’s break. Johnson, as Trump, claimed to have “stolen” Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, jokingly referencing a holiday prank, saying, “We did a reverse Santa on him.” The humor centered on the absurdity of U.S. policies abroad.
Venezuela and U.S. Foreign Policy
Colin Jost took on the role of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He expressed frustration with the U.S. actions in Venezuela, saying, “We went in, straight up stole their president.” Hegseth added that the U.S. would focus next on Iran, asserting, “you don’t dare kill your protesters. That’s our thing!”
Minneapolis Tensions
The sketch also touched on recent events in Minneapolis, referencing the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Ashley Padilla played Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who acknowledged the clashes in Minneapolis. With humor, she remarked, “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.”
Highlights and Guest Appearances
- The episode featured musical guest A$AP Rocky.
- Finn Wolfhard, fresh off the finale of “Stranger Things,” hosted the show.
- The previous episode on December 20, 2025, was hosted by Ariana Grande with musical guest Cher.
- Longtime cast member Bowen Yang made his emotional exit during that episode.
As SNL resumes production this month, it promises a lineup of notable hosts. Next week, Teyana Taylor will make her debut, accompanied by musical guest Geese. Following her will be Alexander Skarsgård, who will host on January 31, 2026, with Cardi B as the musical guest.
With sharp satire and keen observations, SNL continues to reflect on and influence current events, offering a comedic take on the often-chaotic political landscape.
