'SNL' Cold Open gets Trump's thoughts on the NYC mayor, SNAP, and the Grinch

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 By 
Chase DiBenedetto
 on 
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Saturday Night Live kicked off the fifth episode of its latest season with a targeted jab at President Donald Trump's odd behavior during a recent Oval Office press appearance, letting cast member James Austin Johnson run wild with his eerily accurate Trump impression.

As the head of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly (Mikey Day) begins to unveil how the administration is going to address the squeeze — flanked by "medical experts" RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz — right as new cast member and Dropout regular Jeremey Culhane dramatically dips to the ground. Cue a 4-minute Trump rant on NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, SNAP benefits, and stealing Christmas.

"Each week I like to create a big visual that sort of sums up how things are going," Johnson drawls before launching into his spiel. "This week, it's a medical professional almost dying in the Oval Office at the mere thought of charging less for drugs."

Topics SNL Donald Trump

Chase sits in front of a green framed window, wearing a cheetah print shirt and looking to her right. On the window's glass pane reads "Ricas's Tostadas" in red lettering.
Chase DiBenedetto
Social Good Reporter

Chase joined Mashable's Social Good team in 2020, covering online stories about digital activism, climate justice, accessibility, and media representation. Her work also captures how these conversations manifest in politics, popular culture, and fandom. Sometimes she's very funny.


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