Saturday Night Live cold open lampoons President Trump after Democratic midterm victories
The sketch featured a caricature of President Donald Trump reacting to the November 3 midterm results, included a surprise cameo by Texas Senator-elect James Talarico, and was followed by jokes on the show's Weekend Update.
Saturday Night Live aired a cold-open that mocked President Donald Trump’s response to the November 3 midterm elections, in which Democrats gained control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. James Austin Johnson portrayed Trump, claiming credit for the Democratic wins and delivering a series of self-referential jokes while the cast remained motionless behind him.
The sketch opened with cast members portraying Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries celebrating the Democratic victories. Jeffries joked about younger Democrats taking over, only to be dismissed with laughter. Johnson’s Trump then said, "Me! That's right, the Democrats never would have won without this horrible economy and terrible war, so in the words of Moana's big fat friend, you're welcome!" He added that he had accepted the election results and hinted at future plans.
A cameo by Texas Senator-elect James Talarico followed, where he thanked the audience and quipped about the repetitive nature of the show’s Trump cold opens. The episode also featured Druski as host, marking the first time a digital content creator hosted the series, and musical guest The Strokes.
On Weekend Update, anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che referenced the midterm outcomes, noting the shift of several states toward Democratic control and joking about the end of “Trumpism.”