The latest episode of “Saturday Night Live” kicked off the new year with a bang, taking aim at President Donald Trump’s egomania, the U.S. military action in Venezuela, and Kristi Noem’s controversial response to the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. The cold open featured a faux Trump news conference and cabinet meeting, with Colin Jost playing an unhinged Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Jeremy Culhane portraying Vice President JD Vance.
In a nod to Trump’s real-life antics, Culhane’s Vance declared, “I came here to do two things: kick bubble gum and chew ass. And I’m all out of bubble gum.” James Austin Johnson’s Trump, on the other hand, boasted about receiving a Nobel Peace Prize that was actually awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado in a bid to win favor with him.
The segment also poked fun at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with Ashley Padilla donning a cowboy hat similar to the one Noem wore while defending the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Padilla’s Noem gave a callous recruitment pitch for ICE, touting their supposed perfection and urging those with a penchant for violence to join the agency.
Meanwhile, Jost’s Hegseth bragged about the military operation in Venezuela, joking that the U.S. “tea-bagged their country” and hinting at future actions in Iran. Johnson’s Trump wrapped up the news conference with his trademark flair, declaring the midterms canceled before the classic “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night” sign-off.
In a touching tribute, the show honored the late Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, who passed away at the age of 78. The legendary jam band, which made two appearances on “SNL” in the late ’70s and early ’80s, was fondly remembered by the cast and crew.
Overall, the episode tackled a range of political and social issues with humor and wit, showcasing the show’s ability to blend satire with entertainment seamlessly. From Trump’s ego to military actions and pop culture references, “SNL” continues to be a relevant and engaging platform for commentary on current events.
