'SNL' links Epstein with Kennedy Center renaming in Christmas cold open

"We had so many Trumps in there, we had to put them somewhere."
 By 
Anna Iovine
 on 
Screenshot from 'SNL' Cold Open of President Trump hugging a Christmas tree
Watch Next

For the last SNL of the year, President Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson) got into a festive mood — by talking about Jeffrey Epstein for the umpteenth time.

The cold open wasn't the first time SNL mentioned Epstein, even in cold opens. But it was the first episode since the recent release of new files pertaining to Epstein on Friday, followed by the quick removal of some of them on Saturday.

Referencing Trump's Wednesday night primetime address to the nation, Johnson's Trump showed up to the podium surrounded by Christmas decorations by an ornate fireplace. He discussed the recent renaming of the Kennedy Center to include his own name, and ribbed that it'll also happen to the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. He said he's putting his name on so many buildings "because we had to take it off of so many files," referencing the heavily redacted Epstein files.

"We had so many Trumps in there, we had to put them somewhere," SNL's Trump said.

The rambling cold open also mentions Trump's announcement of the Hunger Games-like Patriot Games, Venezuela, and somehow, the Indigo Girls. But there was time to celebrate the season, too. "I'm doing my own version of Nativity now," Johnson's Trump said. "Where kings from the Middle East bring gifts for me like gold and airplane and casino deal in Dubai."

Topics SNL

anna iovine, a white woman with curly chin-length brown hair, smiles at the camera
Anna Iovine
Associate Editor, Features

Anna Iovine is the associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on Bluesky.


Latest Videos

Stephen Colbert reacts to the Artemis II moon mission
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, gesturing.


'The Daily Show' reacts to judge halting Trump's White House ballroom
Desi Lydic presents "The Daily Show" beside an image of Donald Trump.


A24's 'Mother Mary' trailer is worth it for the FKA twigs track
Anne Hathway is dressed in a red pop star outfit with religious overtones in a film still from "Mother Mary."

Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.

Stephen Colbert gleefully recaps the best signs at the 'No Kings' protest
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, smiling. The caption at the bottom reads, "I like that one."

Riz Ahmed is troublingly intense in new 'SNL UK' promo
A close-up of a man grinning in a slightly creepy way.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!