'SNL' is back, and it's pulling no punches! The iconic sketch show wasted no time diving headfirst into the news with its first episode of 2026. This episode, which aired on January 17, offered a satirical take on recent events. James Austin Johnson, as Donald Trump, led the charge in the cold open, delivering a recap of the news, including the United States' 'capture' of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro. This set the stage for a night of sharp commentary. But here's where it gets controversial...
Johnson's Trump quipped about receiving a 'someone else's Nobel Prize' and 'getting Maduro' for Christmas, showcasing the show's signature blend of humor and political satire. Colin Jost returned as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who, in a fiery speech, addressed the Venezuela situation. Jost's Hegseth declared the U.S. 'stole their president' and ominously suggested Iran would be next.
The show also tackled the sensitive topic of the shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis by an ICE agent. Ashley Padilla, as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, delivered a sardonic response. She joked about her hair and makeup team 'hating her' before admitting, 'have we been perfect? Yes.'
And this is the part most people miss... The cold open also included quick spoofs of other recent Trump-related news, such as the president reading a note from Secretary of State Marco Rubio aloud, and concluded with Trump casually announcing, 'midterms are canceled!'
The episode was hosted by Finn Wolfhard, with musical guest A$AP Rocky. This episode followed the series finale of Wolfhard's Netflix show 'Stranger Things.'
The previous episode, hosted by Ariana Grande on December 20, marked the last for longtime cast member Bowen Yang.
What do you think? Did 'SNL' hit the mark with its satire, or did it miss the mark? Share your thoughts in the comments!
