November 10, 2024
In its first episode after Donald Trump’s surprise victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, Saturday Night Live didn’t hold back, launching a satirical cold open that both acknowledged its longstanding opposition to Trump and, tongue-in-cheek, pretended to embrace his presidency. The opening scene featured cast member Ego Nwodim, who addressed viewers with a somber tone, calling Trump’s win “shocking and even horrifying.” The skit quickly took a comedic turn, however, as the cast mockingly claimed their undying support for Trump.
Kenan Thompson delivered the punchline, stating, “We at SNL would like to say to Donald Trump, we have been with you all along.” Cast member Bowen Yang continued, saying, “We have never wavered in our support of you, even when others doubted you.” The actors went on to joke that the entire liberal cast not only voted for Trump but also hoped their children would emulate him. They added a playful twist, saying they’d be willing to “rat out” anyone on set who voted for Harris.
In a nod to the episode’s playful absurdity, James Austin Johnson, known for his spot-on impression of Trump, appeared donning a muscular bodysuit, portraying a “hot, jacked Trump.” Dana Carvey also made a cameo, reprising his parody of tech billionaire Elon Musk. Thompson capped off the bit with an exaggerated “Hail Trump,” underscoring SNL’s satirical and sarcastic approach.
Bill Burr, known for his edgy, no-holds-barred humor, hosted the episode, delivering a monologue that poked fun at various election-related topics. Addressing what he called the “ladies” who had lost to Trump for a second time, Burr jokingly criticized the “pantsuit” approach, saying, “Enough with the pantsuits. It’s not working.” He humorously advised women to strike a balance between Applebee’s and “Hooters” if they wanted to win over voters.
Burr also shared a comedic take on Trump’s resilience, referencing the president-elect’s survival of an assassination attempt earlier in the campaign. “The guy is a lunatic,” Burr quipped. “He literally got shot and immediately jumped back up… That’s not a sane human being. I would have been on the ground in the fetal position like, ‘I don’t want the job!’” Burr’s blunt style had previously drawn attention during a 2017 appearance on Conan, where he critiqued Hillary Clinton’s handling of her campaign, surprising the show’s liberal audience.
Saturday Night Live has maintained a complicated relationship with Trump over the years. Despite hosting him in 2015, the show quickly became one of his most vocal critics, particularly during the 2016 and 2020 elections, when it openly celebrated his defeat. The show has long been accused of leaning liberal, with some critics dubbing it the “PR arm” of the Democratic Party after Kamala Harris appeared on the show just days before the election.
In contrast to its now-famous 2016 post-election cold open featuring Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton tearfully playing “Hallelujah” on the piano, this post-election skit attempted humor over melancholy. The cast’s satirical embrace of Trump was a departure from past openings, reflecting a tone of self-aware absurdity.
Despite the cast’s humorous “support” for Trump, the skit underscored the enduring friction between Trump and the liberal-leaning show. With Trump back in the White House, viewers can likely expect SNL to continue poking fun at his presidency, albeit with a fresh comedic approach.
Sources:
- NBC / SNL. (2024). “Saturday Night Live cold open following Trump’s election victory.”
- The New York Post. (2024). “Bill Burr hosts SNL, satirizes election outcome.”
- Associated Press. (2024). “Donald Trump wins 2024 election, making a historic comeback.”
