SNL Cold Open Delivers Scathing Satire of Trump's Prize Obsessions
In a biting political satire, Saturday Night Live used its latest cold open sketch to mock President Donald Trump's well-documented fixation with winning awards and his administration's controversial policies. The sketch, set in a fictional media awards ceremony called "The Trumps," served as a surreal commentary on the president's public persona and his relentless pursuit of recognition.
A Bizarre Awards Show Where Trump Takes Centre Stage
The sketch opened with James Austin Johnson's uncanny impression of President Trump hosting the ceremony, surrounded by golden Trump statues. "It truly is an honor to be here hosting The Trumps after that lady whose name I already forgot gave me her Nobel Prize," the character declared, referencing recent real-world events. The president's dialogue included references to his immigration crackdown, mentioning his "little freaks and psychos at ICE" as needing distractions, alongside bizarre medical claims about his frequently bruised hands.
The fictional awards show quickly established its absurd premise: Trump was nominated for nearly every category, mirroring his real-world tendency to dominate headlines. The first award for "best picture—of Trump" featured nominations including:
- The president's unusual photograph hugging the American flag at CPAC
- His appearance in the Epstein files
- An image of Trump staring blankly as a man collapsed at the White House
- The spectacle of him winning a newly created FIFA peace prize
When Trump won this initial award, he delivered a parody of Sally Field's famous Oscar speech, exclaiming, "I love me! I really love me!" This moment perfectly captured the sketch's central theme of narcissism and self-celebration.
Cabinet Members and World Leaders Become Supporting Characters
The satire expanded beyond Trump himself to include impressions of key figures from his administration and international politics. Argentinian president Javier Milei, played by Marcello Hernández, appeared onstage to present the best foreign film category, only to have Trump rush the stage and declare, "I'm taking this award, I'm taking Greenland, and I'm taking Zootopia." This moment referenced both Trump's real-world interest in acquiring Greenland and his penchant for claiming credit where it isn't due.
The sketch continued with Homeland Security advisor Stephen Miller appearing as a "legend of horror" before DHS Secretary Kristi Noem accepted the award for best kiss—specifically for "Trump's ass." True to form, Trump interrupted her acceptance, thanking his "long-time agent," the Norse trickster god Loki, in another display of his character's boundless ego.
Musical Finale and Real-World Context
The sketch concluded with Mike Myers reprising his role as Elon Musk to present a comedy achievement award, followed by a musical duet between fictional versions of country star Carrie Underwood and a Village People member. Their song catalogued various things Trump had allegedly destroyed over the past year, including:
- The White House East Wing
- DEI initiatives
- Civil rights protections
- Constitutional checks and balances
- Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene
While the sketch touched on Trump's immigration policies, it notably avoided direct reference to that morning's real-world events in Minneapolis, where Border Patrol agents fatally shot U.S. citizen Alex Pretti. This omission followed SNL's recent decision to cut another immigration-related sketch from Minnesota native Tommy Brennan due to time constraints.
The cold open cleverly connected to actual news, referencing leaked messages that linked Trump's Greenland ambitions to his Nobel Prize frustrations. The sketch highlighted how the president reportedly warned he "no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace" after the Nobel committee awarded the prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who later symbolically presented it to Trump during a White House visit.
Through its absurd premise and sharp characterizations, Saturday Night Live delivered a comprehensive satire of Trump's award obsessions, his relationship with cabinet members, and his administration's controversial policies, all while maintaining the show's signature blend of humor and political commentary.
