SNL Takes a Light-Hearted Jab at Donald Trump Following Jeffrey Epstein Photo Release
Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein.
Credit:
Anna Moneymaker/Getty; Rick Friedman/Rick Friedman Photography/Corbis/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Saturday Night Live targeted Donald Trump on December 13, a day after he was featured in new photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate.
- James Austin Johnson’s portrayal of Trump stated during the Cold Open, “They’re 100% legit. I love those files.”
- Karoline Leavitt and Kaitlan Collins were portrayed by Ashley Padilla and Chloe Fineman, respectively, during the segment.
Saturday Night Live addressed Donald Trump in its December 13 episode, coinciding with newly released photos from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate. The episode commenced with a Cold Open featuring James Austin Johnson as Trump conducting a press conference aboard Air Force One.
During the skit, which humorously referenced Trump taking both an Ambien and an Adderall, attention shifted to the recently leaked Epstein documents, as well as Trump’s contentious remarks directed at female journalists.
When a reporter inquired about the latest batch of Epstein photos released by House Democrats, Johnson’s Trump dismissed the inquiry, branding the images as a “fake-news Democrat hoax.”
A reporter asks James Austin Johnson’s Donald Trump about the Epstein photos on ‘SNL’.
Saturday Night Live/YouTube
The skit continued with a reporter posing a follow-up question regarding a humorous photo portraying a bowl of condoms with Trump’s face. Flattered by the compliment, Johnson’s Trump swiftly changed his response, declaring, “They’re 100% legit. I love those files! I’m in the files. I took a lot of great pictures!”
The Cold Open further poked fun at Trump’s visible hand injuries, addressing his “pre-bedtime self-care ritual” of applying bandages and makeup. He referred to the process as “medical lasagna,” humorously expressing concerns about his health, stating, “We should all be very worried about my health. I’m very ill.”
The backdrop of the Cold Open served to reference Trump’s prior controversial remarks made aboard Air Force One, specifically the “quiet, piggy” comment directed at a female reporter.
The segment also shed light on Trump’s recent criticisms aimed at female journalists, including remarks about Kaitlan Collins.
After Johnson’s Trump flirtatiously diverted attention to Leavitt, he directed his focus to Collins, remarking, “You have a question, you nasty, horrible witch?” To which Fineman’s portrayal of Collins retorted, “My name is Kaitlan Collins, sir, and that’s one of the nicer things that you’ve called me.”
Donald Trump in one of the Epstein estate photos released by House Democrats.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
Trump was among several prominent figures whose images were included in two batches of photos from Epstein’s estate released by House Democrats on December 12. Other notable individuals featured include Bill Clinton, Woody Allen, Bill Gates, and Steve Bannon.
One controversial image displays Trump with at least six women, whose faces were redacted for privacy. It is unclear whether these women were victims of Epstein or if their identities were concealed for other reasons.
In response to the release, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated, “Once again, House Democrats are selectively releasing cherry-picked photos with random redactions to try and create a false narrative.”
House Democrats have committed to releasing additional photographs as they continue their examination of the extensive files received.
Saturday Night Live airs weekends on NBC.
