SNL cold open spoofs Trump ignoring Oval Office collapse amid election losses

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By: Daniel Harris

Saturday Night Live spoofed Trump’s ignoring a real Oval Office collapse during its Nov. 8 cold open with Nikki Glaser hosting. James Austin Johnson played Trump while a man collapsed on stage, parodying recent events. The sketch tackled election losses, grocery price hikes, and political chaos.

🔥 Quick Facts:

  • James Austin Johnson returned as Trump for the Season 51 cold open.
  • Host Nikki Glaser made her SNL debut hosting on Nov. 8, 2025.
  • The sketch parodied Trump dismissing a man collapsing during his Oval Office press conference.
  • Cold open addressed NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s election win and rising grocery prices.
  • Musical guest Sombr performed, fresh off his Grammy nomination for best new artist.

How SNL Spoofed Trump’s Surreal Week

SNL’s latest cold open tackled the absurdity of recent headlines. James Austin Johnson’s Trump addressed his administration’s ongoing chaos. A performer collapsed onstage, parodying an actual incident during a real press conference. Trump then blamed Democrats instead of responding to the collapse. “Someone was dying in my office,” Johnson’s character quipped, launching into his typical tirades.

The sketch mocked Trump’s disconnect from reality. He rambled about weight loss drugs, government shutdowns, and job losses. Johnson delivered barbs about SNAP benefits cuts and canceled airline flights. The Trump character bragged about “wins” while dismissing actual problems. Each joke landed on recent controversies facing the nation.

“Each week, I like to create a big visual that sums up how things are going. Last week, it was the demolishing of the East Wing. This week, it’s a medical professional almost dying in my Oval Office.”

James Austin Johnson, SNL Cold Open

Election Losses and NYC Mayor Race

SNL didn’t shy from addressing Trump’s recent electoral setbacks. Johnson’s Trump acknowledged Zohran Mamdani’s upset victory in NYC mayoral race. The character made controversial remarks about Mamdani, joking about conversions and religious differences. “You know, I’m torn,” he said, “I like a winner, but I’m not crazy about a Muslim.”

The cold open tackled inflation and food costs with biting satire. Trump’s character boasted about cutting SNAP benefits, joking: “the Supreme Court said we could stop feeding poor people.” He mocked his own unfulfilled promises on grocery prices. The routine showed how SNL continues mining political dysfunction for laughs.

Nikki Glaser’s First SNL Hosting Gig

Nikki Glaser made her Saturday Night Live debut hosting on Nov. 8, 2025.

Appearance Details Information
Host Nikki Glaser
Air Date Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025
Musical Guest Sombr
Trump Actor James Austin Johnson
Season SNL Season 51
Notable Moment Pete Davidson surprise appearance during Weekend Update

Glaser earned laughs in her monologue with edgy jokes about New York City and Gen Z concerns. She referenced sex trafficking awareness and made quips about Ghislaine Maxwell. Sombr performed as musical guest after receiving Grammy nomination recognition. The episode showcased SNL’s continued focus on timely, relevant comedy.

What This SNL Episode Reveals About Late-Night Comedy

SNL remains obsessed with political satire and real-world chaos. The cold open proved how sketch comedy mines government dysfunction for comedy. Johnson’s Trump character continues evolving with each episode. James Austin Johnson has become the definitive Trump impersonator on network television.

This episode represents SNL’s ability to react quickly to news. The oval office collapse happened earlier in the week. By Nov. 8, SNL had already spoofed it brilliantly. Nikki Glaser’s hosting debut proved she fits SNL’s comedic style perfectly. Future episodes will likely continue targeting Trump and political developments.

When Can You Watch the SNL Cold Open?

Watch the official SNL cold open featuring Trump ignoring the Oval Office collapse here:

YouTube video

The full episode aired live on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 on NBC. Sketches remain available on NBCs streaming platform and YouTube. SNL continues proving that political comedy thrives during chaotic times. Will the show tackle next week’s developments?

Sources

  • The Hollywood Reporter – SNL cold open coverage and episode details
  • Deadline – Saturday Night Live Trump episode coverage
  • Variety – SNL political sketch analysis and reactions

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