Saturday Night Live lampoons Trump in opening with joke about Thanksgiving turkey costs and planes stuck in shutdown

The program Saturday Night Live aired last Saturday, November 8, 2025, a satirical opening that portrayed President Donald Trump reacting to a breakdown by a pharmaceutical company representative in the Oval Office. The skit, played by James Austin Johnson as Trump, highlighted the character’s indifference to the incident, which occurred during the announcement of price cuts on weight loss medications. The episode, hosted by Nikki Glaser, covered topics such as recent elections and the ongoing government shutdown.

The parody occurred amid real criticism of the Trump administration for the budget shutdown, which has lasted 39 days and affects federal services, including air traffic control.

The character Trump’s monologue mixed acid humor with references to current events, such as the Democratic victory in Tuesday’s elections and the rise in supermarket prices.

Oval Office collapse becomes target of satire

The skit recreated the exact moment the executive fainted during the press conference, with actors simulating medical care in the background while Trump continued speaking. Johnson, like the president, described his reaction as “very normal,” pausing to stare at the fallen man as a “sociopath.” The real incident sparked debate about emergency management in the White House.

This sceneserved as a hook to criticize Trump’s turbulent week, including demolitions in the East Wing and potential failures of national symbols, such as the dropping of a bald eagle on the lawn.

Reactions to the Democratic victory at the polls

Democrats swept the November 5 elections, with the media labeling the result a repudiation of Trump’s policies. In the sketch, the character attributed the extreme ideas to Stephen Miller, his former advisor, saying he doesn’t read them.

The satire pointed to internal divisions in the Republican Party, with Trump feigning surprise at the defeat.

Analysts see the episode as a reflection of growing partisan tensions.

Budget crisis and impacts on daily life

The federal government has remained paralyzed since October, with delays in payments to public employees and cuts to programs such as SNAP, food assistance. Trump promised that grocery prices would fall, but they have risen 12% on average in recent months, according to data from the Department of Agriculture.

Commercial flights face cancellations due to lack of paid air traffic controllers, affecting millions of Americans.

• Block of SNAP benefits impacts 40 million low-income families.
• 15% increase in prices for basic items such as milk and bread.
• More than 800,000 federal workers without pay for weeks.
• Air controllers on partial strike due to salary delays.

Thanksgiving joke highlights shutdown absurdities

American families plan the November 27th holiday with more expensive turkeys due to inflation. Trump, in parody, responded to concerns about the cost by saying the family wouldn’t come because “all the planes are gone.”

The irony came in a light tone, but reinforced criticism of the prolongation of the crisis, which is already costing the economy US$ 1.5 billion a day.

The character promised to extend the shutdown and even “steal Christmas”, echoing the Grinch.

That line generated laughter in the studio, but online memes criticized the insensitivity.

Trump’s monologue addresses multiple themes

James Austin Johnson delivered a rambling speech, mixing the medical meltdown with foreign and domestic policy, as aides dealt with the man on the floor. He mocked the election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York, calling him a “Muslim” in an ironic tone, reflecting veiled prejudices. The skit lasted seven minutes, with quick transitions to maintain the frenetic pace.

On Weekend Update, Colin Jost joked that Trump seemed “too calm” during the crisis, asking for the same medication. This section expanded the criticism of presidential composure amid chaos.

Nikki Glaser in charge

Nikki Glaser debuted as host, bringing mon�provocative brief about New York and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. She highlighted her busy schedule, including returning to the Golden Globes in 2026.

The episode marked the fifth of SNL’s 51st season, which maintained a sharp political tone despite fears of regulatory retaliation.

The season began in October, following cast departures in the summer.

Satire of the New York mayoral debate

Last week, SNL parodied the New York election debate with Miles Teller as Andrew Cuomo, Ramy Youssef as Mamdani and Shane Gillis as Curtis Sliwa. Cuomo, former governor, was portrayed with sexist phrases about getting to know the city.

Mamdani promised free healthcare and affordable housing, but admitted uncertainties in execution.

Mamdani’s victory days later validated the skit’s cynical tone.

The sketch explored Cuomo’s past scandals, from 2021.

Perspectives for future episodes

The next SNL, on November 15, will feature Glen Powell as host and Olivia Dean as musical guest, marking his debut on the show. Powell, from “The Running Man”, should bring light humor after the heavy satire.

Hosts for the end of 2025 have not yet been announced, but the show plans to maintain a focus on current events.

The production resisted pressure to tone down criticism of Trump, even with Jimmy Kimmel’s recent suspension.