SNL's Cold Open Features Trump Ahead of Midterms
In a recent episode of Saturday Night Live, James Austin Johnson portrayed Donald Trump, humorously predicting a Democratic victory in the upcoming midterm elections while referencing various controversies surrounding the former president.
James Austin Johnson made a notable appearance as Donald Trump in the latest cold open of Saturday Night Live, where he humorously predicted a Democratic 'blue wave' in the upcoming midterm elections. "The midterms are on Tuesday, and the polls say we’re doing very badly," SNL’s Trump remarked, highlighting concerns over the Republican party's standing in the polls.
Current polling suggests that Democrats are likely to reclaim control of the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate. Election analyst Nate Silver indicated that Republicans are bracing for significant losses. In the sketch, SNL’s Trump referenced the contentious Senate race in Texas, urging viewers to support Ken Paxton despite his personal disdain for him, stating, "I hate Ken Paxton, but you gotta vote for him."
The cold open also revisited a series of Trump's controversies, including his peculiar comments about other men, which SNL’s Trump referred to as "gay dementia." The sketch featured a cameo by Veronika Slowikowska, portraying former press secretary Katie Zacharia, who humorously struggled to deliver her line. Additionally, new cast member Saidah Belo-Osagie played rapper Nicki Minaj, who has publicly supported Trump, joking about her career and making light of Trump's preferences. SNL’s Trump concluded with a quip about Minaj, suggesting admiration would be different if her attributes were found in a man.