What Happened During the Oval Office Collapse That ‘SNL’ Turned Into Its Cold Open

Saturday Night Live returned this weekend with a fresh episode featuring comedian Nikki Glaser as host and Sombr as the musical guest. The show’s cold open focused on a real-life Oval Office moment that went viral earlier this week, when a man collapsed during a White House event about lowering the cost of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. ‘SNL’ used that shocking moment as the centerpiece of its latest political parody.

The sketch recreated the scene where President Donald Trump, portrayed by James Austin Johnson, delivers remarks following the incident. As the man falls beside the lectern, Johnson’s Trump continues with an exaggerated monologue about current political chaos — from the ongoing government shutdown to benefit cuts and local elections — blending real headlines with signature SNL humor.

Inside ‘SNL’s’ Oval Office Cold Open

In the cold open, the writers used the collapse moment to lampoon both Washington’s intense media environment and Trump’s public persona. James Austin Johnson reprised his acclaimed Trump impression, capturing the former president’s rambling delivery and reaction to the crisis. Meanwhile, Mikey Day appeared as an Eli Lilly representative, Andrew Dismukes played RFK Jr., and Marcello Hernández portrayed Dr. Mehmet Oz — characters meant to represent the figures surrounding the pharmaceutical announcement.

The scene mirrors the real White House event earlier in the week, where an aide suddenly fainted during the administration’s announcement on lowering weight-loss drug prices. According to reports from CNN and the Associated Press, the event continued after the individual received medical attention. ‘SNL’ exaggerated this for comedic effect, using the collapse as a pivot into a satirical take on the week’s broader political and health debates.

The episode balanced humor with topicality, a hallmark of the long-running NBC show. Glaser’s hosting debut added fresh energy, while the cold open kept SNL’s tradition of opening each week with a timely sketch rooted in current events.

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Reactions and Cultural Impact

Fans on social media quickly reacted to the sketch, praising Johnson’s performance and the show’s ability to turn a real political moment into sharp comedy. Some viewers noted that ‘SNL’ has increasingly leaned into real-time political satire again, similar to its approach during past election cycles.

The episode also built anticipation for next week’s lineup, with actor Glen Powell set to host and Olivia Dean as the musical guest. The focus on both humor and news-driven moments reflects how the show continues to stay relevant amid shifting political and cultural conversations.

By turning a real Oval Office scare into a pointed yet funny commentary, ‘SNL’ reaffirmed its reputation as a cultural mirror — quick to react, sharper in tone, and always ready to turn breaking news into biting comedy.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What happened during the Oval Office collapse?

A man standing beside the lectern collapsed during a White House event about lowering the cost of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. He received immediate medical attention and recovered shortly after.

Q2: How did ‘SNL’ parody the Oval Office collapse?

‘SNL’ recreated the moment in its cold open, featuring James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump and weaving in political jokes about Washington’s recent headlines.

Q3: Who hosted the latest episode of ‘SNL’?

Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time, with Sombr performing as the musical guest.

Q4: Who will host the next ‘SNL’ episode?

Actor Glen Powell is set to host next week’s show, with Olivia Dean as the musical guest.

Q5: Why did the Oval Office event gain attention?

The collapse happened during a high-profile announcement about weight-loss drug pricing, making it a major talking point in national media.