The release of Jeffrey Epstein’s emails was the focus of the cold open on the November 15th episode of SNL. The sketch featured White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, played by Ashley Padilla, fielding questions from the press about the 23,000 emails that were made public as a result of the House Oversight Committee investigation into the Epstein files. However, the scene took a comedic turn when James Austin Johnson appeared as Trump to offer his explanation.
“I am hiding almost nothing – just enough to make it extremely suspicious,” Trump quipped in the sketch. He then attempted to rationalize the contents of the files, questioning why he would cover them up if there was incriminating evidence and emphasizing his limited relationship with Epstein despite photographic evidence suggesting otherwise.
The sketch also touched on a controversial message from Epstein’s brother, Mark, discussing photos of Trump allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior with former President Bill Clinton. In response, Trump announced his intention to release all of the Epstein files, jokingly offering them for sale at $800 each as printed out screenshots with low resolution.
The November 15th episode was hosted by Glen Powell, with Olivia Dean serving as the musical guest.
Overall, the SNL cold open provided a satirical take on the unfolding saga of Jeffrey Epstein’s emails, using humor to address the serious allegations and controversies surrounding the case. The sketch showcased the show’s ability to tackle current events and political figures with a comedic twist, keeping audiences entertained while also sparking conversation and reflection on real-world issues.
