The iconic American sketch show Saturday Night Live returned with a biting political satire for its first broadcast of 2026, taking aim at the administration of former President Donald Trump. The programme's famous cold open sketch, which aired on Saturday 18 January 2026, featured cast member James Austin Johnson reprising his widely recognised impression of Trump.
Trump's 'Cabinet of Curiosities' Takes Centre Stage
In the sketch, Johnson's Trump character presented what he dubbed his "cabinet of curiosities", a direct jab at the controversial figures appointed to key roles. The satire cleverly wove together several major current events that have dominated headlines. These included the dramatic capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, renewed threats towards Iran, and the contentious deployment of federal immigration officers in Minnesota.
In a characteristically boastful monologue, the Trump impersonator claimed to have received both a Nobel Prize and Nicolas Maduro in his Christmas stocking, quipping about the latter being the result of a "reverse Santa" operation. This segment set the tone for a sketch that blended absurd humour with sharp political commentary.
New and Returning Faces Portray Key Figures
The sketch served as a platform to introduce new cast members and showcase returning talent in roles depicting prominent political personalities. The fictional cabinet meeting included portrayals of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Particular focus was placed on the character of Kristi Noem, played by Ashley Padilla. Her portrayal comically addressed the volatile situation unfolding in Minneapolis following the ICE deployments. In a moment that underscored the sketch's satirical edge, Padilla's Noem encouraged specific, stereotypical types of individuals to consider joining Immigration and Customs Enforcement, highlighting the show's critique of the agency's actions and rhetoric.
A Tradition of Political Sketch Comedy Continues
This first cold open of 2026 firmly continues Saturday Night Live's long-standing tradition of using comedy to dissect and critique the political landscape. By focusing on high-stakes international incidents and domestic policy controversies, the writers ensured the sketch felt immediately relevant. The choice to frame Trump's cabinet as a collection of oddities, or "curiosities", provided a unifying and effective comic lens through which to view recent events.
The sketch successfully balanced absurdist humour with pointed observations, ensuring the comedy resonated with viewers following the news cycles surrounding Venezuela, Iran, and domestic immigration policy. It marked a confident return for the show's political satire as it heads into a new year of unpredictable global events.
