‘SNL’ Cold Open Mocks Trump’s Nobel Prize Envy and Cabinet ‘Monsters’

The latest episode of “Saturday Night Live” kicked off with a hilarious cold open that took aim at President Donald Trump’s egomania, the U.S. military action in Venezuela, and Kristi Noem’s controversial response to the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. The sketch featured Colin Jost as an unhinged Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Jeremy Culhane as Vice President JD Vance, who comically whined about his recent trip to Greenland.

James Austin Johnson’s Trump character stole the show, joking about receiving someone else’s Nobel Peace Prize and making references to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s gesture of presenting him with the prestigious award. The segment also touched on the capture of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro and Trump’s quirky cabinet members, whom he referred to as “various monsters and nightmares from the twisted mind of Guillermo del Trump.”

Ashley Padilla portrayed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, poking fun at her cowboy hat and defending the ICE shooting in Minneapolis with a mix of humor and satire. The sketch didn’t shy away from addressing the serious issue, with Padilla’s Noem claiming perfection and giving a tongue-in-cheek recruitment pitch for ICE agents.

The cold open also featured Jost’s Hegseth bragging about the military operation in Venezuela and teasing future actions in Iran, all while using suggestive gestures and humor. Johnson’s Trump returned to the podium to wrap up the news conference, jokingly canceling the midterms before the classic “Live from New York, it’s ‘Saturday Night Live'” sign-off.

In a touching tribute, the show honored the late Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, who passed away at the age of 78. The iconic jam band had made two appearances on “SNL” in the past, in 1978 and two years later.

Overall, the first episode of 2026 was a mix of political satire, social commentary, and heartfelt remembrance, showcasing “Saturday Night Live” at its best. The cast delivered stellar performances, blending comedy with relevant issues in a way that only “SNL” can. As the credits rolled, viewers were left laughing, thinking, and reflecting on the world around them.