‘SNL’s Trump (played by James Austin Johnson) hosted his own version of the Oscars, featuring Mike Myers’ return as Elon Musk.
‘SNL’ cold open mocks Trump on Minneapolis, Venezuela
In the first “Saturday Night Live” episode of the year, cast members mocked Trump over his handling of Venezuela and the ICE shootings in Minneapolis.
On “Saturday Night Live,” President Donald Trump is launching his very own Oscars.
In the sketch show’s latest cold open on Saturday, Jan. 24, James Austin Johnson starred as Trump hosting the first edition of a fake awards show reminiscent of the Academy Awards, but with categories all themed around the president.
“After what all my little freaks and psychos in ICE have been doing, I need more distractions,” Johnson as Trump declared. “Look, everything’s gold and shiny!”
The first award, for “best picture of me,” went to a photo of Trump receiving the FIFA Peace Prize, dubbed “another fake award that he made FIFA invent to give to himself.”
“I have so few people to thank,” Johnson’s Trump said in his acceptance speech. “Myself, and, of course, the big man upstairs, which is what I call my brain tumor. And if I can be serious for a moment, there’s so much horrible stuff going on in our country and the world right now. But I promise you, I’m just getting started.”
Surprise! Mike Myers reprises his role as Elon Musk on ‘SNL’
The award for best kiss went to United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem for kissing up to Trump, and Mike Myers made a surprise return as Elon Musk, accepting a lifetime achievement award for comedy, “even though he might not always intend it.”
“I’m so emotionless to be here, and if anyone knows humor, it’s me,” Myers said as Musk.
The sketch ended with a parody of an in memoriam segment, honoring things “we had to say goodbye to” this year because the Trump administration “destroyed them”: the East Wing of the White House, NATO, DEI, checks and balances, civil rights and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Other highlights from the sketch included Sarah Sherman debuting an impression of Aunt Gladys from “Weapons” and Trump proclaiming, “I’m taking Greenland, and I’m taking Zootopia. We love Zootopia. I love those guys. I recognize all of those animals from my cognitive exam.”
Teyana Taylor made her debut as “SNL” host for the Jan. 24 episode amid awards buzz for her role as Perfidia Beverly Hills in “One Battle After Another.” She won best supporting actress at the Golden Globes earlier this month, and she was just nominated in the same category at the Oscars.
This was the second episode of “SNL” in 2026 after a Christmas hiatus, and the 11th episode of Season 51 overall. So far, most of the season’s cold opens have centered on Trump and depicted him riffing on the week’s news at a press conference or in a White House address.
Last week’s show, the first “SNL” of 2026, kicked off with Johnson’s Trump catching up on all the news the show’s writers missed over their holiday break, including the turmoil in Minneapolis and the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “Stranger Things” star Finn Wolfhard was the first “SNL” host of 2026.
Who’s hosting ‘SNL’ next week?
“SNL” will return with another new show on Jan. 31.
Alexander Skarsgård is serving as host next week, marking his “SNL” hosting debut, and he’ll be joined by musical guest Cardi B. Skarsgård’s appearance will come ahead of the release of his film “Pillion.” He also has a role in the Charli XCX mockumentary “The Moment.”
