Saturday Night Live (SNL) poked fun at Donald Trump in its latest episode, with James Austin Johnson once again stepping into the role of the American President. The sketch combined recent international and domestic headlines. This includes the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and protests in Minneapolis.
SNL mocks Donald Trump after Venezuela attack
Saturday Night Live opened its first episode of 2026 with a political satire that took aim at President Donald Trump.
James Austin Johnson reprised his role as Trump, opening the sketch with a mock holiday greeting. “I hope everyone had a nice holiday and got what they wanted for Christmas,” he said before referencing the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, saying, “I got what I wanted: My very own someone else’s Nobel Prize, which I’ll cherish! And in my stocking I got Maduro. Nicolás Maduro!” The sketch portrayed the operation as a victory, with Johnson’s Trump saying, “We did a reverse Santa on him. We came down the chimney with a bag and took him away.”
Johnson’s Trump then introduced what he called his “little cabinet of curiosities,” describing them as “my little freaks, various monsters and nightmares from the twisted mind of Guillermo del Trump.” Marcello Hernandez appeared as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, alongside Jeremy Culhane as Vice President JD Vance. The fictional Cabinet offered exaggerated updates on the administration’s actions.
The segment also addressed unrest in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Ashley Padilla debuted as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. She said, “I’d like to give a quick shoutout to my hair and makeup team, who absolutely hate me.” Padilla’s Noem also discussed the protests that erupted after the incident. “Now, obviously, there’s been clashes on both sides in Minneapolis, and have we been perfect? Yes,” she said.
