SNL Skewers Trump Over Epstein Files and “Drug Plane” Stunt in Season Finale Cold Open

Saturday Night Live delivered a sharp political critique in its season finale. The show’s cold open featured James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump. He fielded questions aboard a mocked-up Air Force One. The segment focused on newly released photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate.

The sketch blended absurd humor with pointed commentary. It addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein documents. According to Reuters, the release of these files has been a major news focus. The comedy show used its platform to satirize the former president’s response.

Trump’s Contradictory Stance on Epstein Photos Takes Center Stage

The skit placed Trump in a press conference setting. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, played by Ashley Padilla, accompanied him. Trump revealed he had taken both Ambien and Adderall. He joked they would see which medication won.

He first boasted about his administration’s drug enforcement efforts. He claimed success against drug boats and planes. A monitor then showed an aircraft being destroyed. A reporter, played by Jeremy Culhane, asked if it was Santa’s sleigh.

Trump replied bluntly: “Not anymore, it isn’t!” This moment highlighted the sketch’s mix of dark humor. It quickly pivoted to the main topic. Reporters questioned Trump about the Epstein estate photos.

SNL Highlights Political Absurdity and Public Scrutiny

The photos showed Trump with five women. Their faces were blacked out in the released images. The fictional Trump first dismissed them as a “fake news, Democrat hoax.” His stance shifted instantly when questioned about specific details.

A reporter mentioned a bowl of condoms featuring Trump’s face. The text on them read “I’m huge.” Trump then declared the files “100 percent legit.” He expressed affection for the pictures and the unusual promotional item.

This rapid contradiction formed the comedic core. It satirized perceived inconsistencies in political narratives. The sketch implied a chaotic response to serious allegations. SNL has a long history of political satire. This cold open continued that tradition with a current, contentious issue.

The SNL Trump sketch successfully merged topical satire with the show’s signature absurdity. By focusing on the Epstein files release, it captured a significant moment in the current political discourse. The segment demonstrated how comedy continues to process and critique complex news stories for a national audience.

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Q1: What was the main topic of the SNL cold open?

The sketch focused on Donald Trump‘s reaction to newly released photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate. It satirized his contradictory statements about their authenticity. The segment also included a joke about destroying Santa’s sleigh as a “drug plane.”

Q2: Who played Donald Trump in the sketch?

James Austin Johnson portrayed the former president. He has become SNL’s primary Trump impersonator. His performance highlighted Trump’s mannerisms and speech patterns for comedic effect.

Q3: Were the Epstein photos mentioned real?

Yes, the sketch referenced real photos released by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee. These were from Epstein’s estate. Their public release preceded a Justice Department deadline for document disclosure.

Q4: What was the public reaction to the sketch?

Political satire often generates divided reactions. The sketch likely resonated with the show’s audience for its timely subject matter. It used comedy to address a serious and ongoing news story.

Q5: Why did SNL choose this topic for the finale?

The Epstein files release was major news that week. SNL frequently bases cold opens on current political events. The topic provided rich material for political satire and commentary.