Saturday Night Live kicked off its 51st season with a familiar target — Donald Trump — as the show poked fun at the former U.S. president multiple times during its season premiere on Saturday, October 4. The episode featured Bad Bunny as the host and Doja Cat as the musical guest.
The night opened with a Cold Open sketch starring Colin Jost as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, joking about new “requirements” for members of the armed forces. The sketch quickly turned political when James Austin Johnson appeared as Trump, interrupting the scene to declare that the “greatest threat to freedom and democracy the world has ever known” was not foreign powers — but “late-night TV.”
The line was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the recent controversy surrounding the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“I’m just here keeping an eye on SNL, making sure they don’t do anything too mean about me,” Johnson quipped in Trump’s signature voice. “They’d better be careful.”
He then joked about his “knowledge” of television, showing off mismatched makeup and saying, “I know late-night TV like the back of my hands. Not looking great right now.”
The parody continued with playful digs at SNL itself. “Here we are, SNL season 51. Should have called it at 50, right?” Johnson’s Trump joked. “It’s so sad to see something get old and confused yet still demand constant attention.”
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He also warned that the show would face his “attack dog at the FCC, Brandon Carr,” if they stepped out of line. Mikey Day then appeared as Carr, correcting him: “It’s actually Brendan, sir,” to which Trump deadpanned, “It’s crazy that you think I care.”
The sketch wrapped up with more political satire, referencing Trump’s claims about ending wars while hinting at new ones. “I ended all the wars — except the two main ones that are still happening and more vicious than ever,” Johnson said. “And even though the government is shut down, we’re starting a new war in Venezuela soon.”
When asked where funding for wars would come from, Trump replied, “I tell them — with my scams. My beautiful scams.”
The Cold Open ended with Johnson’s Trump grinning and declaring, “Here we go, and remember — daddy’s watching.”
Saturday Night Live airs weekends on NBC, continuing its tradition of blending political humor with celebrity satire.
