‘SNL’s first cold open of 2026 goes big: Trump, Maduro, Minneapolis, and “canceled” midterms

Saturday Night Live wasted no time diving back into the political deep end.

The sketch show returned on January 17 with its first new episode of 2026, opening with a cold open designed to catch viewers up on everything that happened while SNL was off the air — and then some. James Austin Johnson once again took center stage as President Donald Trump, delivering a rambling address that touched on global politics, domestic unrest, and his own holiday wishlist.

“I hope everyone had a nice holiday and got what they wanted for Christmas,” Johnson’s Trump said.

“I got what I wanted: My very own someone else’s Nobel Prize, which I’ll cherish! And in my stocking I got Maduro. Nicolás Maduro! We did a reverse Santa on him. We came down the chimney with a bag and took him away.”

The sketch quickly expanded to include other members of Trump’s inner circle. Colin Jost reprised his role as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, storming the podium to explain the situation in Venezuela with barely concealed enthusiasm.

“We went in, straight up stole their president,” Jost’s Hegseth declared, before pivoting to Iran because “you don’t dare kill your protesters. That’s our thing!”

The cold open also addressed tensions in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Ashley Padilla appeared as Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, opening with a pointed bit of self-awareness.

“Before we start, I’d like to give a quick shoutout to my hair and makeup team, who absolutely hate me,” she said.

“Now, obviously, there’s been clashes on both sides in Minneapolis, and have we been perfect? Yes.”

Padilla’s Noem closed her remarks with a groan-worthy wordplay flourish:

“Just know, you can always count on me, because my last name is Noem, as in, do I have the situation under control? Noem, I don’t.”

The sketch also peppered in rapid-fire references to recent Trump headlines — including a viral moment involving Marcello Hernandez as Secretary of State Marco Rubio — before ending on a casually delivered gut punch.

“Also, midterms are canceled!” Johnson’s Trump announced.

With that, SNL signaled that it wasn’t easing back into the season quietly — and that 2026’s political satire would start exactly where the last year left off.

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